Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

Ar dtús, ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuil náire agus díomá orm go bhfuilimid go fóill ag caint faoin ábhar seo. Ba cheart go mbíodh plean gníomhaíochta againn blianta ó shin. Dá mbíodh, bheadh ionad stairiúil againn anois, agus slí stairiúil ó Ard Oifig an Phoist go dtí Sráid Parnell.

It is very disappointing that we are still talking about the historical area from the GPO to Parnell Street and all the places associated with the Easter Rising. Every Government from the foundation of the State has neglected to make a fitting memorial there to the men and women of the Easter Rising. Indeed, it could be said that each Government and the local authority have allowed all of the sites associated with the various battle scenes of the Rising to become derelict and, in some cases, allowed them to be demolished. Kilmainham Gaol could have been knocked down by a developer some years ago only for the actions of a dedicated group of people who worked to preserve it. It is now one of the most visited sites in Dublin, with excellent guides.

One can see the efforts and manoeuvres that have gone into almost bringing about a similar fate for the area of Moore Street. I acknowledge the relatives' group and its trojan work to keep this item on the agenda. I also acknowledge Sinn Féin bringing this debate to the Chamber. At the commemoration committee meeting today there was a proposal from a member for a 1916 Rising walking trail around the area, similar to the Freedom Trail in Boston. It would be mortifying to do that walk now, given the dereliction of the area. However, we are aware of its potential. The Minister and other Ministers have made the tour, as have other people, and I have been on it several times. We know that it could be a historical walk in a historical quarter with suitable preservation and conservation. There is a story at every step of that walk from the GPO, around to Parnell Street, where the surrender took place, and further up to the Garden of Remembrance and into Mountjoy Square if we wish to develop it.

We visit cities in eastern and western Europe and the places we visit there are the historical quarters. Even in economic terms, they are doing very well for the cities where they are situated. I live in East Wall and my journey, as a teenager, was from East Wall, along the GPO, through Moore Street, Moore Lane and O'Rahilly Parade to my secondary school, Mount Carmel in King's Inn Street. I felt privileged to do that walk. The walk should be preserved for other people. It is a battlefield site, commemorating a momentous historic event in our history which had far-reaching consequences. With regard to designating Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street as a national monument, it is currently a national disgrace. I have stood inside those houses and felt frustration at what was allowed to happen. However, I also felt very positive about what could be achieved, not just with Nos. 14 to 17, which is not enough, but the entire area. It suits some to focus on protecting Nos. 14 to 17. That is all very well, and I am sure it will be protected, but the entire area is a battlefield site.

Dublin City Council has many questions to answer about this, dating back to 1998 when the Carlton Group was given planning permission. Then there was a bizarre agreement between the council and Chartered Land in 2004. There was an issue of compulsory purchase orders and whether the councillors had a vote. They were ruled out of order when they tried to raise the matter as it was considered sub judice. There was an in camera meeting in November 2006, Supreme Court judgments and various toing and froing to An Bord Pleanála. In December 2010 and October 2011, demolition and alterations were carried out without permission.

The traders are another aspect of Moore Street which should be mentioned as they are part of that history and culture. I acknowledge the work of the late Tony Gregory in trying to preserve that. There is also the matter of Nos. 32 and 33 Henry Street and the preservation of Henry Lane. We have an opportunity to create a historical quarter and historical walkway in time for the centenary. The expression "tír gan teanga, tír gan anam" is well known but respect for and preservation of our heritage sites are also central to the soul of a country. I listened to the Minister talk about Nos. 14 to 17 but is it appropriate that this national monument, all alone, will be dwarfed by apartments, shopping malls, arcades and God knows what else the developer might put there?

I thank Deputy Nash for his concern for the north inner city. I also support Deputy Ó Cuív's proposal for a specific museum based on the Rising.

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