Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Am I to understand from the reply that a design team will be appointed within the next three to four weeks? I hope that is what he is saying because there is genuine bewilderment as to what is happening. It is over a year since the report was submitted. The recommendations were accepted and endorsed, and they have been backed with €12 million of public funding. I hope the Minister of State is saying that a design team of experts will be appointed within the next three to four weeks and that we will see work commence.

I have been in those buildings over the last number of years. They are old buildings. Sure, they need care and sensitive treatment, but their fragility is not to be used as an excuse. They are precious and they need to be preserved and commemorated. However, as long as they are left there idle it is just adding to dereliction and making the job of the city council, the city traders, the relatives and the citizens of the city so much harder to regenerate and occupy that street in a positive way.

In the city council, I chaired the expert group for the future of the market on it. The city council advertised and received one reply. Only one operator would tender to trade and operate a market on the most prestigious market street in our country. That reflects the lack of confidence there is in Moore Street at present. That is an all-time low. It is something we cannot tolerate or support. We cannot allow it to drift. I hope the Minister of State can confirm that within the next month a technical team will be assigned and works will commence.