Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputy Ó Cuív and Deputy McAuliffe.

I have listened carefully to the Deputies. I reiterate the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan's affirmation of sharing the sense of great importance about the 1916 Rising and its central place in the history of our State and of the importance of remembering it and preserving the traces and memories that remain of those events and everyone involved. No one party has ownership of the past, nor the right to appropriate it. The hallmarks of the approach to commemoration have been the lack of partisanship and a shared agreement to engage together. The all-party Oireachtas committee on commemorations and the model of stakeholder participation that is the Moore Street advisory group, now in its third and final phase, are models for that shared, mature and self-confident approach to addressing a seminal moment in our history.

There has been much talk about the rejuvenation of our cities and towns in a post-pandemic period, including a renewed emphasis on liveability and quality of life with a greater mix of diverse uses to include cultural activities and events, as well as more homes, jobs and shops. This is particularly true of the area in question, which is the traditional retail heart of Dublin and includes sites and buildings that have been subject to regeneration and development proposals for many years. It is clear the pandemic has resulted in the acceleration of underlying trends in retail, including a shift to online shopping and suburban shopping centres and, consequently, vacant floor space arising from the critical loss of vibrancy and footfall. This, combined with the impact of much of the workforce operating from home, has given rise to a serious challenge to our city centres. We need to ensure we can develop sustainable and complementary alternative uses for central parts of our cities, in particular the complex and historical urban quarters that are of cultural, heritage and commercial value. There is also a need to respond to changing trends and opportunities while retaining the key elements of areas' essential characters.

To be sustainable, regeneration must ensure the future viability and attractiveness of places on an ongoing basis and be overseen by governance and funding mechanisms that are accountable and transparent. Plans must be inclusive and involve all stakeholders, with no single interest having a veto. To be successful and implementable, plans must be sufficiently grounded in reality and attract investment. Ultimately, regeneration is about creating places that people want to live, work, visit and invest in and can remain so for future generations.

I note the proposed functions of An Cheathrú in developing strategies of a commercial and commemorative nature to ensure Moore Street becomes a fitting and permanent tribute to the events of 1916. The Ireland 2016 centenary programme included significant State investment in a capital programme of permanent reminders dedicated to the men and women of 1916 and the wider revolutionary period. Eight flagship capital projects - the permanent reminders - were supported around the country. Six of these are in Dublin, some quite close to the Moore Street area.

They include the development of the GPO Witness History interpretive and visitor centre and the restoration and adaptation of two buildings that were part of Richmond Barracks, particularly the building in which the 1916 leaders were interred and court-martialled. The programme also included the creation of an exhibition and interpretive space which offers an important amenity for the public and the local community as a modern heritage site. There was an initiative funded by Dublin City Council and the Government to develop 14 Henrietta Street into a centre of the exploration of Georgian and tenement life in the north inner city of Dublin, incorporating exhibitions, a living oral history initiative and a training programme for the conservation of trade skills. Another initiative was the restoration of the historic Kevin Barry Rooms in the National Concert Hall which were the setting for the Treaty ratification debates of the Second Dáil Éireann, following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in London on 6 December 1921. Other projects include the refurbishment of Kilmainham Courthouse and the completion of the new military archives building at Cathal Brugha Barracks.

It is obvious, however, that Moore Street itself needs special attention and needs it now. As such, I understand the motivation and concerns of Deputy Ó Snodaigh in introducing the Bill. The trading situation on Moore Street is long and beloved. The traders rely on a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in the area in order to continue to make a living in what is invariably a long-standing family tradition of trading on Moore Street. It would be an absolute tragedy to allow this important part of our history to come to an end. However, positive things are new beginnings.

The acquisition by the State of the national monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street was an important step forward. The recent announcement of a significant urban regeneration and development funding allocation will contribute significantly to the reversing of urban decay and the decline that has unfortunately been to the forefront in the north inner city in recent years. I heartily welcome the opportunity presented by this allocation. I understand the funding has been accelerated to progress getting the national monument to a stage at which it can be fully refurbished and presented for public tours. The refurbishment and opening of the national monument, along with the advances in plans for the wider area will, no doubt, have positive feedback and knock-on effects for the street and markets. The traders themselves can expect better times ahead and look forward to a better atmosphere and operating environment, as can local businesses that are struggling in the current circumstances. On the subject of Moore Street traders, as Minister of State with responsibility for local government and planning, I encourage and fully welcome continued discussion with and support for the traders on the part of Dublin City Council.

I welcome the fact that Hammerson, the owner of most of the Dublin central site, is in continuing discussions with the traders and aims to mitigate any destruction during the construction phases of the plans. I also welcome the fact that there have been significant developments and changes in the Hammerson plans on foot of earlier submissions by the Moore Street advisory group. I understand that the group showed and updated its plans earlier this year and that they were broadly welcomed. The group now has an unprecedented opportunity to influence the future of the area for the better. I know it will share its views with Hammerson before the planning application is finalised. I am delighted with the commitment in the developer's latest plans to retain the fabric of the large number of buildings with historical significance, such as Conway's public house, Nos. 8 to 10 Moore Street, Nos. 20 and 21 Moore Street, O'Brien's Stables, O'Brien's Bottling Stores and the potential artistic use of the White House site, along with the re-imagining of No. 10 Henry Place as a potential gallery. This will be particularly welcome in the context of commemorating the events of 1916.

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