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

Táimid buíoch go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo á phlé againn inniu toisc go bhfuil sé práinneach. For decades, the Moore Street site has been allowed to fall into neglect and dereliction. This is embarrassing, particularly with the centenary approaching next year. Nos. 14 to 17 have been designated a national monument. A figure of €5 million is floating around, but who costed the buildings? They form part of what the National Museum has called a battlefield site. It is our Gettysburg, our Alamo. Apart from the fact that the people from the GPO evacuated to those houses and Nos. 14 to 17 were the scene where they discussed a surrender, the surrounding streets saw the deaths of up to 2,000 people. There are stories on Henry Street, Henry Place, Moore Lane, Moore Street and the renamed O'Rahilly Parade. It is all a battlefield site.

In recent months, more than 10,000 signatures have been collected by volunteers every Saturday on Moore Street to save it. They belong to ordinary Dubs and others who come to shop on Moore Street. With its rich culture and history, they do not want to see it extinguished. It is in danger. The late Eamonn Mac Thomais used a great phrase: "Me jewel and darlin'". He did not have it in mind that Project Jewel would become part of selling off the area lock, stock and barrel.

Even though the area is designated one of special planning control and much of it is included in an architectural conservation area, there is a danger of the site being sold to sovereign funds from the Middle East, the Far East and elsewhere. There is a great deal of confidence that the sale will be of interest to the Blackstones of this world that have been buying up a range of distressed properties. Our group handed in a letter to the Taoiseach and copies were sent to every Minister. What responsibility will the Government take for this national monument and battlefield site? It is the guardian of our national monuments.

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