Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are no strangers to hollowing out our cities and public spaces for corporations. There is no such thing as public space in our capital any more. Scandalously, there is but a single public bathroom in the entirety of Dublin city today. Selling off our dearest national monument as corporate prey is one more step in that direction, and another in a series of affronts to our national history and republican legacy.

Tá Ard-Oifig an Phoist mar cheann de na suíomhanna stairiúla is tábhachtaí in Éirinn. D'imir an suíomh ról lárnach in Éirí Amach 1916. Is ar na céimeanna a léadh an Forógra, agus is ann a thug Cogadh na Saoirse casadh cinniúnach. Dá dtiontófaí Ard-Oifig an Phoist ina haonad gnó, bhainfí ó shuntas stairiúil an tsuímh agus chaillfeadh na glúnta atá le teacht an nasc leis an miotais náisiúnta. D'aithin an tAire, an Teachta O'Brien, an méid sin in 2015. Mar Sheanadóir, thug sé Bille chun cinn a chosnódh ceantar Shráid an Mhúraigh.

The Bill of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, to protect our cherished public heritage in the Moore Street area reached Committee Stage in 2015 but, strangely, never became part of his agenda when he took over the reins in the Department with a remit over housing and heritage in 2020. As usual, when the developers descend, Fianna Fáil steps aside and lets the vultures have at it. Where does Fianna Fáil draw the line? Clearly, nothing is off limits, not even the birthplace of our Republic of 1916. Sinn Féin will not let any English developer plunder our national heritage.

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