Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport in view of the statement in the Programme for Government to develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events such as the Centenary of the Easter Rising of 1916, if he will ensure that part of that plan will be protecting and preserving intact the historical site from the General Post Office to Moore Street, as requested by the Save 16 Moore Street Committee, extending national monument status to the entire Moore Street terrace, listing other buildings occupied by volunteers in their retreat from the GPO in order that the area will be a fitting historic and cultural quarter; if he will commit to ensuring adequate funding for this and that the work will be under the direct supervision of the Director of the National Museum. [10944/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the arrangements for national commemorative programmes are co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. Reflecting the strong interest of the Government, the Taoiseach wrote on 3 May seeking nominations from party leaders with a view to re-establishment of the all-party Oireachtas consultation group on centenary commemorations. As Minister responsible for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, I will chair the consultation group, which will offer a forum to consider the duration, scope and scale of an appropriate commemorative programme to cover the centenary anniversaries of a momentous period of our national history.

The national commemorative arrangements will reflect official consideration and consultation on an inclusive basis in the Oireachtas. I would also welcome proposals from voluntary bodies, community groups and the Irish people at home and abroad. I envisage a multi-annual programme extending in the first phase to 2016.

In regard to Moore Street, the position is that, in January 2007, the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14 to 17 under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that No. 16 Moore Street is a monument, the preservation of which is of national importance by reason of its historical significance as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters of the Provisional Government, which included five of the Proclamation signatories - Pearse, Connolly, Plunkett, Clarke and McDermott.

The purpose of the preservation order is to ensure the preservation of No. 16 Moore Street in the context of wider redevelopment proposals centred on the former Carlton Cinema site. To achieve this objective, the order also covers Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and includes the yards to the rear of Nos. 15 and 16 Moore Street, extending to Nos. 8 and 9 Moore Lane. The effect of the order is that works affecting these properties, including any excavation or ground disturbance within, around or in proximity to them, will require the prior written consent of the Minister. While the National Museum of Ireland does not have a role in supervision of such works, the Minister is statutorily obliged to consult the director of the Museum as part of the consent process.

The proposed development of the Carlton Cinema site, in accordance with the permission granted by An Bord Pleanála, envisages the retention of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and, subject to ministerial consent under the National Monuments Acts, No. 16 Moore Street becoming a commemorative centre. Detailed proposals in this regard will need to be submitted to my Department for consideration and any works to be carried out will require my consent.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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There are positives and negatives in the Minister's reply. I am from East Wall and I went to school in King's Inn Street, which is in the heart of the Moore Street area. As someone who loved history, I loved taking that walk every morning and knowing I was walking on the same streets that the men and women from the garrison in the GPO walked. We have lost enough of the buildings that were associated with the Rising.

I note in a previous reply the Minister referred to the number of cultural visitors to Ireland. Does he not think making that whole area, which is a battlefield site, a historic quarter of Dublin would be a good idea, given the way people visiting Prague, Budapest and elsewhere visit similar areas? I ask the Minister to include the whole area, including O'Rahilly Parade where the O'Rahilly made his last stand and the laneways the men and women walked down. All the houses on Moore Street should also be protected, not just three houses. When the men and women surrendered, they moved down to the end of the street, so the whole area is reeking of history, which previous Governments have completely ignored to facilitate the development of the Carlton Cinema.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As I pointed out to the Deputy, the decision was made on this issue by a previous Minister and by An Bord Pleanála. However, in the context of the 1916 commemoration and the consultative committee I am setting up, this will obviously be discussed. I have been contacted by a number of interested groups, which I hope to meet in the next few months. If anything can be done to answer the questions raised by the Deputy, I will do it. The committee on the 1916 commemoration will be very inclusive and will include those from all sides of the House and will seek views from interested bodies outside the House. Obviously, this will be a very important consideration given the various points outlined by the Deputy.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Will the Minister include the Save 16 Moore Street committee in that? On a related point, while the Minister is very busy, on Tuesday, 24 May, we are having a tour of the battlefield with the relatives. It would be great if the Minister could join us and I know some Members of the Technical Group who would be delighted to have him along for that tour, which will really show off the places associated with the Rising.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I have no problem with that. If I have no other engagement, I would be delighted to join the Deputy.