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

I am satisfied we are preserving what is the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street. As the Deputy is aware, work has started on that site and it will be a lasting tribute to the memory of the rebels in the 1916 Rising. On the issue of the relatives, I am aware how passionate they are about this. We have been working with the relatives and have had numerous meetings with them. I have visited the site and have been around all the areas. I have visited Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 Moore Street and it is obvious they are substantially intact as per pre-1916 buildings. It is clear that many of the other buildings have been knocked down and rebuilt which is the case with those on either side. In regard to No. 10, independent reports were prepared for my Department by Shaffrey Associates architects and Frank Myles archaeologists in February 2012 as part of the examination of the proposed restoration project under the National Monuments Acts. These are eminent people in the archaeological, architectural and historical fields and my Department is satisfied with the quality of their research.

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