Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

In recent years we enacted legislation to ensure that buildings of historical significance in different parts of the country would be respected and not demolished. That legislation was introduced as a result of hundreds of buildings being demolished in different areas, including the P. J. McCall house in Wexford, the de Valera cottage in the Nire Valley and many more. I am astounded to hear that 16 Moore Street is to be demolished. This building was the last headquarters of the 1916 leaders, where they met to discuss surrender in order to ensure the citizens of Dublin would not suffer any further. It is interesting that one official does not regard it as being of historical significance. The National Graves Association says it is particularly significant in Ireland's history and in America it would be the equivalent of the Alamo. I ask the Leader to take up this matter urgently with the appropriate Minister in order to ensure that 16 Moore Street will not, under any circumstances, be interfered with.