Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

In the wake of the vandalism and illegal destruction by developers of the home of the revolutionary hero, The O'Rahilly, I submitted a question to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, asking whether an investigation had been carried out in relation to this destruction. I expected that the Minister responsible for heritage, having seen the level of destruction of that heritage, would have taken it upon himself to hold an investigation, particularly in light of the fact that when I asked the Taoiseach a question in the Dáil just before that, the Taoiseach responded by saying, "Given the significance of The O’Rahilly in terms of the war for independence and his historic significance, to go in yesterday at dawn to destroy the building is absolutely shocking and unacceptable." Those are the Taoiseach's words.

I also thought the Minister would have investigated it because I raised the issue with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, in advance of the building being knocked down. I told both the Minister and the Minister of State that the building was under significant threat of demolition in advance. No action was taken, the building was demolished and a significant element of the heritage of this State was floored forever. When I asked the question, shockingly, the answer I got back from the Minister was that he has "no official responsibility" for holding an investigation into the destruction of the home of The O'Rahilly.

From what I can see, it is a typical example of Ministers saying it is not their responsibility, that one should look elsewhere and deflecting to other Departments. I ask the Minister of State whether, if possible under the new regime, he will undertake an investigation into what happened to that building. Will he ensure that we find out who was responsible for the destruction of our heritage? Also, will he go about seeking for that building to be rebuilt and returned to its former state?

The second issue I wish to raise in the short time I have is that of Moore Street. The Moore Street battlefield site is the birthplace of the Irish Republic. It is where the men and women of 1916 risked everything for an independent, democratic republic. Part of the reason why the Minister and the Minister of State are able to be Ministers in this Republic, is because of the sacrifice of those men and women.

Yet, Moore Street is in a shocking situation. It could be an international heritage hub or a cultural hub for the people of Dublin and the rest of the country. It could be a market to rival the great markets of the rest of Europe. What is Moore Street now? It is an outdoor toilet. It gives me no pleasure to say that. If one speaks to many of the people who work on Moore Street, they will say that there is violence, drug use and people defecating in that street. Moore Street has been allowed to fall into that level of dereliction by at least two Governments in the last while. It is an incredible situation. The Government actually owns buildings on Moore Street and is refusing to rejuvenate those buildings and turn them into heritage sites where people can engage and learn about the sacrifices of the men and women of 1916.

I urge the Minister of State to take it upon himself to make sure that he does not leave office in the same manner as repeated Ministers with responsibility for heritage, leaving Moore Street standing in dereliction.

The final point I wish to raise concerns Slieve na Calliagh, which is located in Loughcrew in the north-west part of County Meath. It is a phenomenal passage tomb. It is a tomb to rival Newgrange. I have heard archaeologists refer to it as "Newgrange without the lipstick". In other words, it is probably a more real example of what a passage grave would have looked like. At the top of Slieve na Calliagh, one can see 18 counties. In the past week, people have scribbled graffiti on neolithic art that has been there for thousands of years. The tomb lies there and anyone can go up and lift anything they want from it.

I ask that under this new regulation, the Minister and the Minister of State commit to safeguarding that particular site in order that the people of the world can celebrate the value that it has and can engage and learn about the people who lived at that time.

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