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

Nobody disagrees with the development of the area, because it has been a derelict, abandoned site and disgrace to all of our governments since 1916 or since after the Civil War. However, the point is that the whole area is a monument and other buildings on the street, apart from Nos. 14-17, have been identified in the Myles battlefield report as having significance in regard to the events of the Easter Rising. For example, O'Brien's mineral water building in Henry Place was occupied by the volunteers, the white house in Henry Place was occupied and held by Michael Collins, and Cogan's in No. 10 Moore Street was where the first council of war was held and where there was an overnight stay. The bottling stores were occupied by Frank Henderson and Hanlon's, at 20-21 Moore Street, was where the surrender order was accepted by the volunteers, after consultation with Tom Clarke, Joseph Plunkett and Seán Mac Diarmada. Therefore, there are other buildings on that street of historical significance.

The consent order issued by the Minister will result in their obliteration.

While I fully understand the position of the street traders and respect the street trading tradition, the traders can be facilitated with an appropriate development that takes account of the historical significance of Moore Street. It must not be a sprawling, massive shopping centre in the middle of a number of other shopping centres.

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