Dáil debates

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Priority Questions

National Monuments

2:00 pm

Photo of Michael KittMichael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Beidh ceist Uimhir 104 níos déanaí.

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will honour his undertaking under the Preservation Order No.1 of 2007 to protect and preserve the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin, in its entirety as designated and in compliance with the principles in the Venice Charter for conservation and restoration of monuments and sites. [21696/12]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, in January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14-17 Moore Street under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that No. 16 was a monument, the preservation of which was 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. 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 my consent, as Minister, under section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended.

The proposed development of the Carlton Cinema site, of which Nos. 14-17 Moore Street form part and for which approval has been granted by An Bord Pleanála, envisages the retention of these buildings and the provision of a commemorative centre to the 1916 Rising in No. 16. The developer's application to my Department for consent to these proposals under section 14 of the National Monuments Acts is being examined. As Minister, my role in relation to the national monument site is to examine and make a determination on the consent application under the National Monuments Acts. A decision will be made on the application as soon as possible.

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the comments made recently by the Minister's colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar.

In the run-up to 2016 we are presented with a unique opportunity to protect and preserve this site. This issue has come up time and again in questions to the Minister since my election to the House. It is very important, not only to people in this country but also all over the world. Does the Minister agree that the proposed development would effectively destroy the national monument and the potential to turn Moore Street into an historic quarter of international significance, with huge economic and tourism benefits? Does he also agree that the single most appropriate proposal for the site, in terms of our history, heritage, culture, tourism and the economy involves the creation of a landmark historical quarter, as proposed by the families of the 1916 leaders, one which incorporates the GPO and the surrounding lanes which acted as the battleground in Easter week 1916, a defining period in the country's history? Does he agree with the proposal and will he commit, with the help of others, including my party, Sinn Féin, to making it a reality?

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, said he would ask Tourism Ireland to examine the matter. Will the Minister, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, confirm that will happen?

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter and allowing me the chance to clarify the position. It is important to note that my Department does not have a function in respect of the wider development site, of which the national monument forms part. As Minister, my remit strictly covers the national monument site, encompassing Nos. 14-17 Moore Street, and the consent application relating to these buildings. The development project as a whole has been through the planning system, from Dublin City Council to An Bord Pleanála. There are no other statutory processes to be gone through. My Department is considering further observations on the consent application received from the National Museum of Ireland in the past few days. The museum's submission raises a number of issues that may warrant further discussion and consultation between my Department, the developer and the museum. These will be dealt with as speedily as possible. I have undertaken to keep the all-party Oireachtas consultation group on commemorative matters informed of developments in respect of the Moore Street monument in the context of its role in the 1916 Rising centenary preparations. I do not envisage these proceedings being protracted and intend to make my decision on the consent application as speedily as possible.

To be clear, my function only concerns the national monument. Outside this, what has been determined by An Bord Pleanála and Dublin City Council is another issue. I will take the matter very seriously. Obviously, I will receive legal advice from the Attorney General's office and ensure the concerns expressed by the National Museum of Ireland, the response to which I have not yet seen, are fully examined. All of the various aspects of the proposal in respect of the national monument will be considered fully and I will then determine what should happen, whether the project should go ahead. If I reject the proposal for the site, the likelihood is that nothing will happen before 1916. It is important to clarify that the State does not own the site which is in private ownership. Obviously, it is under State protection as a national monument. There are a number of matters that I must consider seriously before I make my final determination.

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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As a matter of interest, does the Minister have a time line for when a decision will be made? The clock is ticking and before we know it, it will be 2016.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I totally agree with the Deputy. I am chairman of the 1916 commemoration committee and we are trying to do our best to ensure the events of 1916 which will be the focal point will be commemorated properly. This, obviously, would be very much part of the commemorations. I will reach a determination speedily in consultation with all of the interested groups involved, including my colleagues in the Oireachtas.