Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

Looking at the history of the area, the Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter week 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland. It was the most significant uprising in Ireland since the rebellion of 1798. Organised by the military council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Rising lasted from Easter Monday, 24 April to 30 April 1916. Members of the Irish Volunteers, led by schoolteacher and barrister Pádraig Pearse, were joined by the smaller Irish Citizen Army of James Connolly, along with 200 members of Cumann na mBan. This rising was where our forefathers fought for Irish freedom and an Irish Republic and willingly gave their lives in the name of their country.

That is why we are in the Chamber as we approach the centenary of this most significant event in our relatively young history. It is imperative that we support the motion, which resolves to ensure that the 1916 national monument at 14-17 Moore Street is 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. The motion calls on the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to act without further delay to ensure the full preservation of the national monument and to develop a plan to transform the GPO and Moore Street area into an historic quarter and battlefield site to protect and preserve the 1916 national monument.

I compliment Sinn Féin on tabling this Private Members' motion and for seeking the inclusion of signatures from Members of other parties and those of none. It is important that no individual or political party attempts to hijack this issue for political purposes. Our national heritage is too important for party political games. By all Members supporting this motion, Dáil Éireann can show the country it is serious about giving the Easter 1916 centenary the respect and commemoration it deserves.

This issue has been ongoing for many years now and with every passing year this historic location is falling into further neglect. Looking at the chronological sequence of events over the years, it is worrying that such an historic location did not receive the recognition it deserved. Many questions remain unanswered in that regard but that is for another day. We can not change what has happened but we can learn from previous mistakes. We must move forward this project in a positive way without delay. I was pleased to be present at the meeting of the Oireachtas committee when the Save 16 Moore Street campaigners made a presentation outlining the group's realistic proposals for this area. I compliment the group on its longstanding dedication to the cause. The Save 16 Moore Street group is seeking the protection of national monument status of Nos. 14-17 Moore Street against the encroachment of new property development. The group is also calling on the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, to protect and preserve the 1916 Moore Street terrace and buildings, streets and laneways linked to the 1916 Rising and to facilitate a 1916 cultural and historical quarter.

In 2007, the Fianna Fáil Government brought in a preservation order to protect these sites. However, a much wider area needs to be considered. There is a requirement to protect the buildings comprising Nos. 32 and 33 Henry Street. An appeal by An Taisce has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála. One wonders at some of these assessments when the architectural heritage assessment claims no records exist of any historic event associated with the buildings, despite the clear evidence that they were occupied by Volunteers during the 1916 Rising.

This country does not need another shopping centre. We need to protect our culture and our heritage. I ask the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht to refrain from making any decision regarding the approval to build on the historic site of Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, pending an independent battlefield assessment as recommended by the director of the National Museum of Ireland. I encourage the Minister to engage with all relevant parties, with NAMA and the various interested parties and to do as the motion calls on him to do. In doing so, the Minister and the Government will have the full support of this House.

The restoration of Kilmainham Gaol was completed in 1971. Apart from the significant cultural benefits this restoration afforded our country, it is also a major tourist attraction, seeing annual visitor numbers rise from 275,000 in 2009 to 285,000 last year. I ask the Minister to retract his amendment to the motion in order that this House can collectively support the motion.

See this speech in context