Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Again, I agree with everything the Deputy said. As a culchie who moved up to Dublin in the last couple of years, I cannot but be impressed by the architectural heritage of the city, particularly the older parts of the city such as the Liberties. The Iveagh Markets are intrinsic to that and an important asset for the people of Dublin and the country as well. Although deemed to be of regional importance, I believe the market is of national significance. It is critically important that we work collectively and collaboratively to try to find a solution to resolve this.

As I said, there are grant schemes in our Department. The local authority has powers under the Planning and Development Act to safeguard the building. There has been engagement from the Earl of Iveagh and others. That is really positive. The Deputy can rest assured that the Department will do all it can to try to move the process along in a positive way, not to look back but to look forward, and see if there is a mechanism by which we can get into a space where we can look at restoring or beginning the process of carrying out building condition surveys and getting a restoration project off the ground for the Iveagh Markets. The building is far too important for Dublin and the country to lose it. We will do all we can to try to help with this process.

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