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

Yes. A number of us here have been consistent and persistent in raising the issue of Moore Street. I have used opportunities during Leaders' Questions, other questions and Topical Issue debates to discuss it. However, it has been a while since we had a discussion on Moore Street and a positive aspect of Deputy Tóibín's Bill is that we have this opportunity to discuss it this evening. Moreover, the Minister has had an opportunity to speak, for the first time in the Chamber, on the issue of Moore Street.

It is incredible that, on the one hand, the historic street site was allowed to degenerate, become neglected and fall into disrepair in the way that has happened but, on the other hand, it is not so incredible because we know, for example, that Kilmainham Gaol could have become an office or apartment block were it not for a number of committed activists. We know how much of our history we have lost in Dublin and in other parts of Ireland. Sadly, some of that was done wilfully and in that respect Wood Quay springs to mind. We can treat historical sites, monuments and buildings in a very good and sensitive way, and we see that in Kilmainham Gaol and Courthouse, Newgrange, Collins Barracks, Richmond Barracks, Glendalough, Clonmacnoise - there is an endless list. There is also, as the Minister mentioned, the Tenement Museum at 14 Henrietta Street, which she opened last week.

With Deputies Tóibín, Ó Cuív and Haughey, I have been a member of the Moore Street consultative group, which was set up by the then Minister with responsibility for this area, Deputy Humphreys. It was a highly representative group comprising members of all political parties, independents, relatives, support groups and the Moore Street traders, and operated under the very able chairmanship of Gerry Kearney. The group worked in a collaborative way holding public consultations, taking submissions and arranging presentations. Thirty one people agreed a report that was launched in March 2017. We were all on the same page in endorsing the report and its vision for the development of the Moore Street battlefield site as part of a historical cultural quarter that would capture "that moment in time experience". Such experiences are also captured when one walks into Kilmainham Gaol, Newgrange, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Auschwitz or Dachau. That moment in time experience in Moore Street gives a sense of how it was for those who evacuated the GPO and moved to Moore Street. It also should give that sense of a moment in time for the citizens of Dublin who were working and living in Moore Street, and for five of the signatories of the Proclamation who spent time there before the surrender and their eventual execution. Preserving that was endorsed by all of us, as was the regeneration of the Moore Street market to its full potential.

I believe that Moore Street and the surrounding lanes fall under the heading of a national monument, not just the designated national monument at Nos. 14 to 17. Anybody who walks the route from the GPO will be struck by the many incidents that took place on Moore Street, the surrounding lanes and in the historical buildings other than Nos. 14 to 17, as referenced in the Shaffrey report commissioned by Dublin City Council and the Frank Myles battlefield report commissioned for Chartered Land. I will give just one example, 10 Moore Street, which was the point of entry for those evacuating the GPO and the location of the overnight stay of the leaders and the field hospital where the wounded were treated by Nurse O'Farrell and Julia Grennan.

The recommendations of the report of the consultative group are clear and can be realised. That is what we need to do to move on. The then Minister, Deputy Humphreys, accepted the report with its recommendations. In a press release issued in March 2017 she stated: "I believe that the recommendations in the Report can help find a way to breathe new life into the Moore Street area, while at the same time retaining its sense of history and enhancing its traditional street market."

The few traders left on Moore Street describe their position as being "on their knees". They are very fearful for their future and whether they will continue to have a presence in Moore Street. In the case of one particular family, three generations have been trading from their stall and they are very fearful. The continued lack of movement on addressing the Moore Street street is adding to their anxiety and certainly not helping them. The then Minister also said the following in her press release: "I am fully supportive of this constructive approach and I want to see the work of the Group being built upon, so we can progress to the next stage." I advise the current Minister, Deputy Madigan, that we are at the next stage. I am on the new group and there has to be engagement with the developer. The lack of engagement is part of the reason the process is moving slowly. The unfortunate reality is that a large part of the street, the historic battlefield site, is in the hands of private developer. I wish that were not the case and the State had bought the street and surrounding lanes. However, we have to live with the reality of where we are now.

Hammerson, the private developer involved, has engaged with the group. It took some time but I have to say the company has a much better grasp, insight and knowledge of the historical and cultural significance of the area. I believe we can work together at this stage in the collaborative way we did in the period leading up to the report. I am convinced there will be aspects on which there cannot be compromise but there are areas on which compromise can be reached. However, this will depend on involved - the State, the public representatives, the relatives and support groups, the local authority and the developer - showing a willingness to compromise.

Point 12 of the recommendations states: "As the ultimate custodian of our history, culture and history, as well as the provider of key services, the role of the State in the future of Moore Street and its environs is critical." Therefore, it comes down to the Minister and what she will do to support the group in implementing the recommendations.

I understand where Deputy Tóibín is coming from with his Bill and I agree with the sentiments contained in it. However, I also believe we have to support the Minister's amendment to see what support she will give to the forum to allow it move ahead on what needs to be done. The Minister stated we have to wait for the broader vision. Why can we not start with Nos. 14 to 17 now? Money was spent on securing the roofs of the buildings so some work has been done. However, the buildings are fragile and the longer they are left without restoration, the more potential there is for damage. I do not understand why we have to wait. It would be welcome if work were to start before winter to ensure the buildings are restored in the most sensitive way possible. We need a timeframe from the Office of Public Works, OPW, as to when it will get involved. There is a recommendation on timeframes in the report.

Another phrase in the report is that "it is essential to maintain momentum". We lose momentum once a report is published. It is important to get momentum going again and the Minister has a critical role in achieving that. While I want to accept her amendment, I also want to hear what has happened with the recommendations in our report. Has the Cabinet accepted all of them? Has the Minister discussed the issue with the Minister for Finance? We need to see much more support for the advisory group. At the very least, there should be more regular contact with the Deputies on the group. The Minister should also meet the group. I suggest she walk the battlefield site with the relatives because that gives a great sense of what happened on the site and its importance. That is even more urgent now because of the plans for the Parnell Street quarter, which were unveiled last week, and there are also plans for Mountjoy Square. There is a danger that Moore Street will be left again. Many mistakes have been made on Moore Street in the past. It would be good to get a commitment on timeframes and what exactly will happen to the Moore Street site. That would give us back the initial momentum we had.

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