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

As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the revised designs that were submitted by the owners of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street for the restoration of the monument buildings and the creation of a commemorative centre to the leaders of the 1916 Rising on the site. In July 2013, I signed an order of consent that approved the commemorative centre proposal and the full repair and conservation of the monument buildings. I refused consent for the demolition of any structures, or removal of material from the site, that dated from or before 1916. I also ruled out plans for the development of an underground car park within the boundary of the national monument and the demolition of the Moore Lane facades of Nos. 15 and 16.

The July 2013 consent was conditional on the submission to me of revised project designs that took full account of the elements of the proposal for which consent had been refused and the conditions attached to the approved works. The revised designs were received in March of this year. Following consultation with interested parties and a full assessment, I approved the revisions subject to a number of new conditions. Among the new conditions are requirements for a new gable wall to be constructed at No.14 Moore Street, instead of the temporary finish that would otherwise have been in place until the wider development went ahead; and for a new building, to be incorporated into the commemorative centre, to be constructed to the side of No. 17 Moore Street as part of the restoration project. I believe the decision I have made on the revised designs will secure the future of one of the most important sites in modern Irish history.

The accompanying conditions will also ensure the restored buildings will, from day one, have a standard of finish and appearance that befits their historical importance. It is now a matter for the monument owners to progress the works.

I emphasise again that my functions under the National Monuments Acts relate only to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street by virtue of the preservation order placed on that site in 2007. The development of the wider Moore Street area and related matters are the responsibility of the planning authority, Dublin City Council.

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