Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Minister will agree the video was something of a disaster. However, Irish people are equally outraged that as we approach the 1916 centenary, the central element in an area described by the National Museum as the most important historic site in modern Irish history has fallen into complete disrepair in an increasingly derelict site. I refer to the 1916 national monument in Moore Street, with which the Minister and her Department are familiar. The disgraceful derelict state of the national monument and the recent failed land swap proposal is proof that its current owner, Chartered Land, views the national monument as nothing more than an item of commercial exchange rather than the central element in the area. The owners have shown themselves to be unreliable guardians of our history and heritage, and their continuing ownership and future control of the monument, through NAMA funding from the public purse, should no longer be acceptable. Moreover, the failure of the State to intervene in this matter, in light of the statement by the National Museum, is a clear breach of its responsibility to act in the public interest. In her position of guardianship of the culture and heritage of this State, I ask the Minister to act on her obligations. This means protecting and preserving the national monument by whatever means are available without further delay. Can the Minister assure the people that in the lead-up to the historic 1916 celebrations next year, everything will be done on her behalf to protect the monument in order that it can take its rightful place throughout the celebrations?

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