Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the proof is what we see in Moore Street at present. This issue has been pursued with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ad infinitum. He has done what he says he can do in regard to the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. Surely the local development plans should also take account of the aesthetics of the surrounding area. There is considerable potential in that area for housing, indigenous small industries along Moore Street and for continuing the street trading tradition. We should do much more with the street by embracing the national monument because otherwise I think we will be a laughing stock come 2016, although it appears that considerable efforts are being made to divert attention from Moore Street to the GPO. Whether we like it or not, Moore Street is where the men and women moved after they left the GPO. They moved along those streets to what is now the national monument and then to the site of the Rotunda for the surrender. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government could play a stronger role with the local development plan in terms of taking aesthetics into account.

See this speech in context