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

I thank the Minister for her reply. I do not know if the Minister did a tour with the relatives group from the GPO all the way around to the point of the surrender. Each relative tells the story of their particular relative, whether it was Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Plunkett, The O'Rahilly or James Connolly. It is an area that is steeped in history. Is there a concern that because of the lack of an independent survey and an assessment by suitably qualified persons, we could end up losing many other buildings of historic significance, not just No. 10 but O'Brien's mineral water building, the White House, Cogans, Hanlons and so on? The Minister must be aware of the passion of the relatives and their supporters who have a different vision for the restoration of the area. What do we want there? While a national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street is welcome, we have to look at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street in the context of the wider area. I emphasise the need to be perfectly sure we are preserving the area that should be preserved because we will not get another chance.

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