Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made in preserving the national monument in Moore Street. [24472/14]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I know the Minister will agree there is a need to protect and develop the Moore Street national monument. Can he give the House an update on the progress that has been made in preserving the national monument at Moore Street?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, I recently approved the revised designs that were submitted by the owners of the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street for the restoration of the monument buildings and the creation of a commemorative centre to the leaders of the 1916 Rising on the site. In July 2013, I signed an order of consent that approved the commemorative centre proposal and the full repair and conservation of the monument buildings. I refused consent for the demolition of any structures, or removal of material from the site, that dated from or before 1916. I also ruled out plans for the development of an underground car park within the boundary of the national monument and the demolition of the Moore Lane facades of Nos. 15 and 16.

The July 2013 consent was conditional on the submission to me of revised project designs that took full account of the elements of the proposal for which consent had been refused and the conditions attached to the approved works. The revised designs were received in March of this year. Following consultation with interested parties and a full assessment, I approved the revisions subject to a number of new conditions. Among the new conditions are requirements for a new gable wall to be constructed at No.14 Moore Street, instead of the temporary finish that would otherwise have been in place until the wider development went ahead; and for a new building, to be incorporated into the commemorative centre, to be constructed to the side of No. 17 Moore Street as part of the restoration project. I believe the decision I have made on the revised designs will secure the future of one of the most important sites in modern Irish history.

The accompanying conditions will also ensure the restored buildings will, from day one, have a standard of finish and appearance that befits their historical importance. It is now a matter for the monument owners to progress the works.

I emphasise again that my functions under the National Monuments Acts relate only to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street by virtue of the preservation order placed on that site in 2007. The development of the wider Moore Street area and related matters are the responsibility of the planning authority, Dublin City Council.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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The decision to grant permission for the development of Moore Street is tantamount to providing for the obliteration of what has been described by the National Museum of Ireland as the most important site in modern Irish history. The Government's proposal to turn Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street into an interpretative centre, while welcome, is inadequate as it fails to match the importance of the site. Under the current plan, the rest of the terrace on Moore Street is to be demolished. If Chartered Land is allowed to proceed with its plans, the lanes of history surrounding Moore Street will be bulldozed and covered by a shopping mall. The entire Moore Street battlefield site should be developed and protected as a national monument. This would be a fitting centre for the centenary of the 1916 Rising and would give an economic boost to the north inner city of Dublin. It could also provide a prestigious international education and tourism facility. Does the Minister agree that allowing Chartered Land to proceed with its plans undermines all the work that has been done to preserve Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street? Does he agree that the site will become nothing more than a museum in a shopping centre?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As I have stated several times, responsibility for planning and the broader site rests with Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála. My responsibility relates specifically to the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street. I have engaged in a long process, lasted for three years, under which I granted permission to carry out works on the national monument and I am now satisfied that the best solution has been found. I refused consent to demolish some of the structures at the rear of the national monument, for example, the facades on Moore Lane, and I did not grant permission to proceed with an underground car park. The planning for the broader site rests with Dublin City Council. I and my Department have carried out our responsibilities and ensured the national monument will be protected. The best solution has been found.

An impression is being given that everything will be demolished. I reiterate that two lanes, Henry Place and O'Rahilly Place, will be retained. and a further lane, Moore Lane, will be retained, albeit under a glass rain cover. It is important to note, that the lanes of history will remain.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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The cross-party group on Moore Street met the Minister and outlined its deep concerns at the proposed developments. Members of all parties believe strongly that the area should not be levelled to make way for a giant shopping mall. As guardian of the monument, the Minister could have done more to avoid the destruction of an area of major historical importance. Sinn Féin wants Moore Street to be fully preserved and developed as the cornerstone of a 1916 revolutionary quarter, incorporating the surrounding lanes of history. Will the Minister reconsider his decision to allow the proposed development by Chartered Land?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As I stated, I reflected on the consent for three years and the Department went through every possible process. I am satisfied, and I believe most people will agree, that the decision reached was the best one for the national monument on Moore Street. As the Deputy is aware, the issue of the broader site rests with Dublin City Council and the council will make a decision on what it wants on the site. The developer must satisfy the council and An Bord Pleanála that its plans for the site reflect its historical importance and the events that took place at Easter 1916.