Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank the Cathaoirleach and Seanad for facilitating this Commencement matter seeking a commencement date for construction of a commemorative site at the national monument on Moore Street. As everyone knows, Moore Street is the most historic trading street in the city. It is the birthplace of our Republic. Despite being rich in history beyond anyone's dreams or what anyone could imagine, the street has been dominated by dereliction, neglect and antisocial behaviour for far too many years. I was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2004. From even before that time I have worked with relatives, street traders and those who owned properties on the street to encourage the State, in the form of the city council, the Government and all the national bodies, to support the regeneration of the street and its market yet create an adequate and appropriate a commemorative centre at 14 to 17 Moore Street. I have served on a number of committees and far too many to remember. In fact, it is too depressing to think about that. There have been far too many reports with the latest report being delivered to the Minister of State more than a year ago. It was the third report from the third ministerial advisory committee on Moore Street. So there has been plenty of talking and consideration given to this issue. There is no doubt that there is enormous support for a proper commemoration of the historic events that took place on Moore Street. The report made six recommendations but, more specifically, it made a recommendation on the national monument. The report specifically endorsed the concept that was proposed by the Irish Heritage Trust that would require State bodies such as the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the National Monuments Service to be engaged to create an imaginative, fitting and appropriate commemorative museum.

Ireland has many examples of great commemorative sites of which we can be very proud but it is shameful the neglect that the State has allowed to take hold on Moore Street. It is unacceptable. Everybody appreciates that the majority of the properties in and around the historic site are privately owned. However, it is impossible for us to be critical of the private owners and the neglect that they have presided over when the State has failed to take adequate action. The State must stop dithering, delaying and ignoring the dereliction and deterioration of an historic national monument that is located in the heart of our capital city. The monument is not just for us in Dublin central or in Ireland; it is for all of the Irish people who descend from our Republic. I ask the Minister of State to please give us a commencement date for works at the national monument and let us accelerate whatever works can be done because the dereliction that is taking place is shameful.