Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The national monument at 14-17 Moore Street is the subject of a preservation order under the National Monuments Acts. The effect of the order is that any work affecting the site requires the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended.

The landowner's application to my Department for consent to proposals that include the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising and its leaders on the national monument site is being examined. As part of the consent process, the applicant was asked by my Department to provide an environmental impact statement, EIS, on the proposed works. Following completion of the statutory consultation procedures associated with the EIS, I am proceeding with the formal environmental impact assessment, EIA, including consideration of the submissions received. I will then make a decision on the consent application itself.

The national monument is in private ownership and has not been subject to compulsory purchase procedures. Responsibility for its upkeep and maintenance rests with the owners. My function in that respect is confined to considering any related proposal by the owners for which my consent must be sought under the National Monuments Acts. Such consent has been applied for, and granted, from time to time, most recently for essential stabilisation works to the building facades, and I understand that the buildings are structurally secure. The monument buildings are also included in the record of protected structures maintained by Dublin City Council under the Planning Acts. It is important to point out that the city council has specific powers of intervention should any particular concern arise about the structures' condition.

I hope to be in a position to make a determination on the consent application under the National Monuments Acts and the associated EIA in the near future.

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