Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for the opportunity to discuss the 1916 quarter development. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Teachta Ó Cuív. Tá an Bille seo an-tábhachtach. Tá sé ag plé le gnóthaí níos mó ná reachtaíocht ón Rialtas. Tá sé ag plé le h-athchóiriú ar Moore Street agus ar an GPO agus ar fhoirgnimh cosúil le Boland's Mill, South Dublin Union nó Ospidéal Naomh Shéamais, an sean monarcha Jacob's, an Royal College of Surgeons, Mount Street agus foirgnimh eile. Tá sé an-tábhachtach go mbeidh athchóiriú i lár Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath freisin.

In welcoming this Bill, I re-emphasise the need for identification of all of the sites associated with the Easter Rising and, as outlined by Deputy Ó Cuív, the need for a freedom trail and a lasting investment in our history and heritage. We all know there are opportunities to view the history and heritage of Dublin, whether by way of bus or a Viking tour. However, as suggested in the Bill, there is a need for investment by the development company in these areas. It is important these places are safeguarded and given the recognition they deserve.

The discussion on this Bill gives us an opportunity to discuss the preservation of all the locations where Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizens Army fought.

I commend RTE on its programme, "Ireland's Rising", in particular, the commemoration of 1916 outlined by the presenter, Mr. Ryan Tubridy. He said, on visiting Galway, that it was like going home for him. He met people who had connections with the Rising. I am glad that Galway County Council has a programme that involves consultation and partnership with the communities of the county, including community consultation and workshops in Tuam, Oughterard, Loughrea agus sa Cheathrú Rua. Galway is the county of birth of Éamonn Ceannt, who was from Ballymoe, and Connemara was the summer destination of Pádraig Pearse. One of the largest forces of Irish Volunteers mobilised and fought for Irish independence in County Galway and there was a lot of emphasis in "Ireland's Rising" on west Galway. There were traces of a freedom trail in west Galway, in particular around Ros Muc, where Pádraig Pearse had his school. Deputy Ó Cuív's freedom trail idea is something that could be replicated in every part of Ireland, in particular in Galway given its rich 1916 history.

I am disappointed that there has been very little reference to the buildings around Moore Street, both those the Government has already dealt with and others, on RTE radio and television and in the print media. The Moore Street traders have fought their cause for a long time. We saw reports on the role of the leaders in the print media and there was much reference to the GAA and its role in 1916 and afterwards and the Gaelic League and its role. The buildings, however, have gotten very little attention and I am glad Deputy Ó Cuív has brought the issue forward through this Bill and we are talking about not only the Moore Street buildings but buildings in other areas of Dublin and across Ireland.

A number of buildings in east Galway and other places were visited by Ryan Tubridy and mentioned in the programme. These included Killeeneen, Clarinbridge, Athenry, Moyode, Lime Park and Craughwell. Commemorations are planned in Moyode next April and at the Mellows monument in March. Easter Monday there will be a commemoration in Athenry and next May there will be one in Kilbeacanty. These are areas many tourists would like to visit and local authorities, relatives and other stakeholders should be involved.

See this speech in context