Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for her Commencement matter. I also thank her for the positive interactions and work that she has done on this issue over many years. I say that because not all of the contributions towards Moore Street have been entirely positive. We want to progress this project and I appreciate the leadership that she has consistently shown concerning a national monument at Moore Street.

Shortly after I was appointed I visited the monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street. Having been allowed entry into the buildings, they were really quite stunning. Even in its raw current state, and some enabling works have taken place, the project is impressive. It is critically important that this important story of our history is told and I agree with the Senator wholeheartedly that we need to move the project forward and not just the national monument but the regeneration of that entire part of the city. I am not from Dublin and I saw the street for the first time in quite a number of years. I was shocked to see the deterioration that had taken place in that part of the city and it is incumbent on us all to move forward.

In March 2021, €121,285,388 was allocated to Dublin City Council in respect of the north inner city concept area 1 under call 2 of the urban regeneration and development fund. The north inner city project involves the regeneration and redevelopment of several areas of the north inner city that have experienced a degree of decline and dereliction over a number of years resulting in poor perception issues and a depiction of an area that the market has been largely forgotten. The main objective of this project is to achieve long-term sustainable regeneration and redevelopment of various areas centred around the fruit and vegetable market, Parnell Square and Mountjoy Square. Complementary projects include Moore Street public realm renewal works, with the intention of reactivating one of the most important trading streets in the city, along with structural and restoration works on the national monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street. Works on the national monument, which is in State ownership, will facilitate the protection and reuse of these historic buildings as an iconic heritage and visitor attraction in the form of a 1916 commemorative centre alongside the rejuvenation of the historic street. The regeneration of Moore Street market and the street is a matter for Dublin City Council, and I am assured that an expert advisory group was appointed in that regard.

The Moore Street advisory group, of which the Senator was a valued member, recommended in its report to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and me last year that the process embarked on by the OPW and the national monuments service of our Department to restore the national monument and open it up to the public as soon as possible should continue. Officials from the Department and the OPW have been liaising to progress that. I understand the OPW is in the process of appointing a team to carry out phase 1 essential works to the monument, which will ensure stability and provide a pathway for the phase 2 completion works at the monument. I understand this is imminent and I hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks. The Senator will, I am sure, appreciate that the Minister and I are keen that those essential works commence as soon as possible.

We will make an announcement in the coming weeks. It is our intention to begin this essential phase of the works. That will be most welcome as the wider issue of the regeneration of the Moore Street area and central Dublin needs to be addressed. I am confident we will move forward very shortly.