Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy acknowledged at the outset, announcements have been made in respect of the restoration of those important buildings on Moore Street. I think the announcements that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the Government have made will do justice to the historical importance of the buildings and the site for the people of Dublin and Ireland. That is the way we should proceed in respect of our entire approach to the commemorations of 1916.

The Deputy raised the matter, and I believe it behoves all of us, those in his party included, to seek to ensure, as far as we possibly can, that we have a united and collective approach to the celebration and commemoration of this seminal event of 1916. We should work as best we can together, whether as politicians across the House or more generally in the community, to do what is fitting and right next year in respect of 1916. I believe the Government's programme of events is fitting. There may have been some controversy or different views on the emphases proposed at the outset. Anyway, I believe that what has been done by the Government has been broadly recognised by historians and others as fairly representing a fitting and proper commemoration of the 1916 Rising. I call on those in Sinn Féin to support the approach taken by the Government and a cross-party approach in this House as well as a collective approach generally in the community to the commemoration of that event.

It seems to me that there is nothing to be gained from a fragmented approach to this important event, and we should work together as best we can to achieve something that is right and proper. The announcement made by the Minister on the restoration of Moore Street was very welcome and should be supported.

As to the involvement of NAMA, I am not completely clear on what the Deputy is proposing. He knows NAMA has a very specific remit under legislation in respect of what it is required to do and that it makes decisions in accordance with the remit it has on the basis of the loans and so on with which it is dealing. It would not be appropriate for us to see this as an occasion for instruction by the Minister to NAMA in respect of particular properties. We can do a huge amount in Dublin and throughout the country to celebrate and commemorate 1916, and I do not think NAMA will manage that. Rather, it will be done by the Government, the Oireachtas and the people.

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