Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)

I am honoured to open this debate and formally move the Sinn Féin motion. This is an historic motion as it is the first time the Oireachtas has held a full-scale debate on the national treasure that is Moore Street. I welcome the families, friends and supporters of the heroic men and women of 1916, who are present with us here this evening.

The GPO, Moore Street and the laneways between it and O'Connell Street form the most important battlefield site in modern Irish history. This area must be fully protected, carefully preserved and sensitively developed as a cultural quarter. That is why Sinn Féin has tabled this motion and has sought the support of all Deputies. The motion calls for "the 1916 National Monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street [to be] fully protected and preserved in its entirety as designated and that the surrounding buildings, streets and laneways are retained in such a manner that the potential to develop this area into a 1916 historic-cultural quarter can be fulfilled".

This is not about gaining or losing political points. The fact is we all need to remind ourselves how much we owe those men and women who, almost a hundred years ago, defied a powerful empire and proclaimed the Irish Republic. The motion calls on the Government to ensure an area which is steeped in Irish history is developed as an historic quarter and battlefield site in time for the centenary of the Rising. I would urge all Deputies who have been elected by the citizens of Ireland to support this call from the relatives of the 1916 leaders.

The condition of Nos. 14-17 Moore Street is nothing short of disgraceful and is an insult to the memory of those men and women whom we should honour. We owe it to the men and women of that period not to disregard their reputation and memory by destroying a building so closely associated with their struggle. During a tour of the battlefield site in July 2010, the current Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore stated: "Our commemoration of 1916 should not just be a token flag waving commemoration, but it should be real, and I think there is an obligation on the State to respond positively to the relatives of the 1916 leaders to go with this project." I would hope the Tánaiste's views on this issue have not changed since then.

The relatives of the 1916 leaders campaigned diligently for Nos. 14-17 Moore St. to be designated as a national monument. In January 2007 they succeeded when the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14-17 and the land and buildings to the rear under section 8 of the National Monuments Act 1930. The order was made on the grounds that the buildings are of national importance by reason of their historic significance as the final headquarters of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic.

I have no doubt that this historic terrace would have been demolished at the height of the Celtic tiger but for the vigilance and the campaigning of the relatives and their supporters in all walks of life in Ireland. This historic terrace, which witnessed the fires of Easter 1916, has seen the Celtic tiger come and go and still survives, yet it is still under threat.

Time does not allow me to go into the complex planning history here. Suffice to say, the proposed plan of the developer would effectively destroy the national monument, leaving only a mere facade which would be engulfed in a large scale edifice. The development would also obliterate the streetscape and built fabric of one of the most historic areas of the city, both in terms of its association with the events of Easter 1916 and its architectural heritage. The developer intends to invade and build on 60% of the area covered by the national monument order. This would see the buildings gutted and excavated and the demolition of the terrace on either side of them. When it was announced in 2006 that national monument status was to be granted, it was generally believed that after a widely supported campaign, the historic buildings would be fully preserved and converted into a centre honouring the men and women of 1916. It came as a shock to many that the go-ahead was given for a development that will effectively destroy these buildings.

The relatives here today are totally opposed to the planned development of Moore Street by developer Joe O'Reilly, who has been seen as a member of the golden circle and who is currently in NAMA. It is important to point out that this developer has only conditional planning permission. The grant of permission is conditional on a number of requirements. Crucially, this includes the consent of the Minister for work to the national monument, the provision of a 1916 element, separate statutory consents and financial contributions to the city council. It is evident that ministerial consent in this application is being sought solely for the purpose of facilitating the commercial interest of a NAMA developer. Clearly, the Minister should refuse this consent. He should not allow the national monument to be encroached on or interfered with in any way. He and his colleagues in government should look to the importance of this site and its great potential.

Moore Street is of extreme importance, not just to the people of Dublin or the people of Ireland, but also internationally. This area has huge educational importance for the people of Ireland. This was the final headquarters of the republican forces during the final hours of the Easter Rising. It was in this building that James Connolly lay wounded as the Provisional Government held its final meetings. Also present were his fellow members of the Provisional Government - Padraic Pearse, Joseph Plunkett, Thomas Clarke and Seán Mac Diarmada. These five men were amongst the 16 executed leaders of the 1916 Rising.

As Deputies are aware the area of cultural tourism continues to hold huge economic potential. This motion clearly calls on the Government to invest in cultural tourism. The entire Moore Street area is rich in history and would act as a fantastic attraction for visitors from home and abroad. An area of such significance both historically and educationally should be restored and protected, not only for the people of Ireland but for people all over the world. The question all Deputies must ask is in what state this national monument will be come 2016. Will it be neglected and under threat as it is today? Will it be a shell, engulfed in a shopping mall or will it be preserved and cherished, forming a centre-piece for the centenary of the 1916 Rising and a major cultural asset for our capital city for decades to come?

There are two options facing all Deputies here tonight. Option one is to vote against this motion and vote in favour of the Government amendment and, possibly, allow the destruction of one of the most historic sites in Ireland. In taking that option, we as elected representatives would be turning our backs on our history to favour a NAMA developer. Option two is that we as a country acknowledge the huge sacrifice that those brave men and women made in 1916 and pay tribute to their cause and realise the educational and historical importance of Moore Street and the surrounding lanes. It is that we, as elected representatives, make the right choice. I urge all Deputies to honour and pay tribute to the men and women of 1916 and vote in favour of this motion as it stands.

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