Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I find the Minister's attitude quite extraordinary. I do not know if she has ever been to Francis Street, the Liberties or the Coombe, but the Iveagh Market is an extraordinary feature of the area. It is a famous and historical building. Not only is the word "culture" in the Minister's title but "heritage" is too. This is sad to hear from a Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This Government can spend millions and millions of euro on messaging and yet can allow an amazing building such as the Iveagh Market, which in other cities would be a vibrant market area drawing tourists and providing jobs for artisan producers, artists and the local community, fall into ruin. The Minister is missing an enormous opportunity, maybe through a lack of imagination.

I would like to know what are the next steps for Moore Street. Is Moore Street just being handed over to Dublin City Council? I would be sad if that was the case because the Government of which I was a member bought and secured the purchase of the houses in Moore Street where the ceasefire was signed in 1916 and the Minister knows there has been considerable discussion and significant work done by people across the House on this issue.

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