Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Deputies for their contributions. I listened carefully to everything that was said and I acknowledge the more considered contributions that took account of the realities we are putting forward. While I accept the sentiments and the motivation behind Deputy Tóibín's Bill, I reiterate that the Government cannot support it.

I will pick up on a couple of points in the time available. I am pleased to hear Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan supports the Moore Street report. As she is aware the advisory group is working to implement it. The landowner is now looking at saving more existing buildings in the area and we have a chance to progress that now in a way that we did not before. I hope that will benefit all the street traders the Deputy mentioned. I am also pleased to hear her encouraging words about Hammerson's engagement with the advisory group. I appreciate her support. We will start with Nos. 14 and 17 as soon as we know what is agreed for the adjoining buildings. The buildings are being maintained by the Office of Public Works and funding for Nos. 14 to 17 should not be a problem. The Cabinet is aware of the developments and takes an interest and is very supportive of everything to do with the environs of Moore Street.

I note Deputy Ó Cuív's comments on Boland's Mill and Clanwilliam House. The new monuments Bill which I hope to bring forward before the end of this year will allow the buildings to be recorded as monuments. My Department is looking at what cultural uses we could insert into the wider development of such buildings. The Deputy referred, for example, to the Irish language. I appreciate his assessment that the new plans are better and worth pursuing. He mentioned the word "collaborative" a few times. I agree that is the approach to take. I also agree that Hammerson's was slow to engage but as the Deputy said, we need patience, and the company is now engaging, which can only be a positive thing. We can consider having a professional survey of Nos. 10 to 25 at some point. I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for his contribution.

Deputy Ó Caoláin is not present, nor is Deputy Adams. I appreciate Deputy Browne's support. I assure him that the State-owned buildings, Nos. 14 to 17, will be completed to the highest standard. I will also endeavour to visit the theatre in Enniscorthy. I thank him for the history lesson in that regard.

Deputy Haughey is aware that the terrace from Nos. 10 to 25 Moore Street is being examined by the developers. We know that the Moore Street report asked for the retention of the line and form of the terrace. I was interested to hear about his grandfather, Seán Lemass, and the history he outlined. We know the traders have primitive conditions and any solution must include them. Like Deputy Haughey, I have been unhappy about the delays in the progress of the project but I hope we are now on the cusp of a solution. It goes without saying that the Taoiseach does take a keen interest in the issue. The Deputy also mentioned the Irish language centre. That is something I am working on as well at the moment.

Overall, the group is engaging positively with the new owners of the site surrounding the national monument on Moore Street and it has put forward radical changes to what was previously on offer in terms of architectural heritage, urban regeneration, the community benefit and social amenity. It has also brought the commemoration of events relating to 1916 to the centre of the revised plans. I referred to future jobs and employment for people in the north inner city. The needs of the street traders have been long neglected and should be properly addressed. However, the Deputy's Bill would, unfortunately, make no contribution to any of those ideals and instead would divert and distract the stakeholders from focusing on securing a vision for the regeneration of the area with which everyone could be happy. We need to support the Moore Street advisory group in its work and not detract from the positive headway we have been making. We will not do so by advancing any legislation that puts a negative perspective on the real prospect that there is now going to be a happy outcome. For those reasons and what I said earlier, the Government believes the Bill is premature and should not proceed while the Moore Street advisory group that represents all stakeholders, including Oireachtas Members, has still to finalise its work. For that reason I cannot support the Bill proceeding any further at this time.

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