Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on and her plans following the landmark ruling of the High Court which declared the battlefield site in the Moore Street area in Dublin 7 to be a National Monument, a legal decision which matched arguments within the case, matched political opinions in the House of the Oireachtas and is supported by public opinion. [13683/16]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call on the Minister to proceed.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Standing Orders have been changed. I am sorry, but I thought-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is the old system.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Gabh mo leithscéal.

Following the High Court's ruling, progress on the 1916 commemorative centre and conservation project on Moore Street has ceased and arrangements are being made to have limited works, as approved by the court, carried out as soon as possible to preserve and protect the buildings at 14 to 17 Moore Street for the time being. The objective of the works will be to safeguard the buildings, in so far as possible, until a permanent solution is identified. In that context, I am continuing to examine the court's findings in so far as they relate to the Moore Street project and the general operation of the National Monuments Acts.

I am also examining, in consultation with other Departments, whether there are broader planning and development implications nationally, especially in terms of potential impacts on infrastructural projects such as housing, roads, broadband and other utility developments. I am not at liberty at this juncture to go into further detail on whether the High Court ruling in this case will be appealed.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Ba mhaith liom gach rath a ghuí ar an Aire agus ar an Aire Stáit nua. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an t-áth leo ina gcuid poist.

Most Irish people will say the arts, culture and heritage are central to who we are as a people, that they are intertwined with our identity. Many will be shocked, therefore, to hear that the arts and heritage have been added to this Frankenstein Department and that the investment in this Department is only one fifth of that in other European countries. The battlefield site on Moore Street is an example. It is nearly three months since the court ruled on this issue. With regard to the disconnect between the Government and the people and the High Court, what plans does the Minister have to develop a new cultural and heritage plan for the battlefield site on Moore Street?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have two decisions to make. I must look at the site on Moore Street in the context of the judgment and I must also look at its wider potential implications. I need to look at whether there are broader planning and development issues nationally. I am still assessing the potential impacts and consulting other Departments. I am also taking legal advice on the matter. I am, therefore, not in a position to give a definitive answer on the issues around the legal case and until that decision is made, I will not be able to say what we plan to do in the wider area. I understand this is an emotive issue, but we have made considerable progress in dealing with it. This is the first Government to have acquired 14 to 17 Moore Street.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister's first port of call is public opinion on this issue. This is the centenary year of the 1916 Rising and public opinion on the issue is clear. It is also important, being in a minority, that the Government consider the opinion of the Dáil. From what I understand, the positions of Fianna Fáil and my party are close - that everything needs to be done to prevent the travesty of a shopping centre being built on one of the most important heritage and historical sites in the State. This generation has an opportunity to preserve one of the central spaces in the 1916 Rising. My other concern in this regard is that the loans of Chartered Land, the company which is proposing to build a shopping centre in this space, lie with NAMA. If NAMA was to appeal the decision, the State, in effect, would be funding a second appeal against a decision of the High Court which fulfills the will of the people and the Dáil.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I accept that the location is evocative. I want to see us preserving the buildings which include the final headquarters of the 1916 leaders. The intention always was to restore the buildings, 14 to 17 Moore Street, to their 1916 state in order that visitors would be able to take a step-back in time. I am consulting other Departments and whenever the decision is made on the ruling in the court case and what steps we should take in that regard, I will be happy to sit down and have a conversation with my colleagues in the Oireachtas on the best steps forward.