Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The four houses are believed to date from 1756 to 1773. Numbers 15 to 17 date from approximately 1763 but were refaced in about 1880. The buildings are in the private ownership of Chartered Land Limited and form part of an extensive site in the O'Connell Street-Henry Street area of Dublin which CLL proposes to develop. Dublin City Council granted permission to CLL in December 2008 for the development of the 2.17 hectare development incorporating the national monument site. As a prescribed body, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government commented on the initial planning application in May 2008 and identified a number of concerns relating to architectural heritage, height, demolition of certain buildings and the impact on the character of O'Connell Street. The Department's concerns were addressed in the redesign of the project, for example, with the inclusion of a screen along O'Connell Street to reinforce the street facade, the omission of the tall building element onto Henry Street, the overall reduction in height of the tallest element of the development and its relocation to the centre of the site where the visual impact from surrounding areas would be lessened. The granting of planning permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála which, following an oral hearing, approved the development with the modifications on 24 March 2010.

As regards the national monument-designated buildings, approval was given by An Bord Pleanála for the demolition of the non-original additions and partitions, extensions to the rear and the lowering of the basement. However, the foregoing was subject to the stipulation that no works could commence until ministerial consent had been obtained under the National Monuments Act for any works that might impact on the monument site at numbers 14 to 17 Moore Street. The buildings require ongoing maintenance works to ensure their structural protection pending a full programme of refurbishment works. In 2006, and prior to the preservation order being placed on the site, some stabilisation works were carried out in agreement with Dublin City Council's enforcement section. An application for consent for further works was made by Shaffrey Associates Architects in February 2010 and was approved by the Minister in May 2010 following consultation with the director of the National Museum of Ireland. In summary, the works involved temporary stabilisation works to elements of the structure, prevention of fabric loss, elimination of water seepage, maintenance of suitable environmental conditions to ensure preservation of fabric and removal of vegetation. In December 2010, as an extension to the existing consent, ministerial approval was given for the removal of mid and later-20th century finishes to enable the carrying out of a proper condition and historic survey of the building fabric and structure.

A formal consent for application for works was submitted to the Department by the developer on 17 June. The proposals, which comprised the conservation of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street as a commemorative centre to facilitate interpretation of the significant cultural history relating to the events of Easter 1916, must now be considered by the Department, prior to consultation with the director of the National Museum of Ireland. The Minister's formal consent will be required before any works can begin. The Minister, Deputy Deenihan, has visited the site and he will consider matters such as the preservation, protection and maintenance of the archaeological, historical or other cultural heritage or amenities of or associated with the national monument.

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