Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department is engaged with the monument owners and other relevant parties with the aim of transferring the property into State ownership as quickly as possible. The Department is also examining options for how best the restoration of the buildings for use as a commemorative centre can be effected with a view to having it open to the public at the earliest possible date. In that context, I have set up a project steering committee comprising of all the stakeholders, including the Office of Public Works, to oversee the delivery of the project as speedily as possible and in accordance with overall best practice.

As Deputy McLellan will appreciate, there are fundamental matters to be dealt with before there is any question of getting the work started. The national monument is in the ownership of a private entity, the loans of which are under the control of NAMA. The Deputy can be assured that the intention is to have the restoration work completed and the commemorative centre up and running in the shortest possible timeframe. I cannot say at present how long that will take but all options are being looked at with a view to delivering the project with the minimum of delay. I will be consulting with the relatives. I will also be consulting with the traders on Moore Street because it will affect them as well. I hope that it will be completed in time for the 2016 commemorations and we will be doing everything to ensure that happens.

See this speech in context