Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to say a few words about the Save Moore Street Campaign. As I am sure everybody is aware, a large development is proposed for a large site in Dublin city centre that is bordered by Moore Street, Henry Street, O'Rahilly Parade and the other laneways in the area. Most importantly, the site covers the escape route, final battles and surrender of the men and women of the 1916 Easter Rising after they retreated from the GPO. It is rather unfortunate that Dublin City Council has already granted planning for part of the site for a proposed development up to nine storeys in height. It beggars belief that this is what the council would see fit to do for such a historically important site. It is to be welcomed that there has been a large number of appeals submitted to An Bord Pleanála that are now under consideration. Certainly from my experience, when I took this matter to the Council of Europe as an MEP, it was in shock that any state would see fit to demolish one of the most important battle sites in its history.It is to be welcomed that on Monday night, Dublin city councillors decided to add further buildings and sections of buildings on Moore Street and the adjoining laneways to the record of protected structures. This will not only give a boost to the Save Moore Street campaign and the relatives, but An Bord Pleanála will now have to consider the new listings of protected structures when it makes its decision on the proposed development. People have been working for years to ensure the preservation of Moore Street and its environs and the last extant 1916 battle sites.

We should remember that many of the sites and buildings associated with the 1916 Rising have already been lost to Dublin. Of 32 sites in the city, 19 have already been completely demolished. There is still time to save Moore Street from the developer's wrecking ball, however. The campaign to save Moore Street will now continue in the hope that an historic cultural quarter dedicated to the memory of the men and women of 1916 can be created rather than some nine-storey mega-development. Such a memorial would be fitting while at the same time provide an attraction, not just for tourists visiting the country but also for citizens of Ireland and schoolchildren, similar to Kilmainham Gaol, which is one of our most popular tourist sites. I congratulate Dublin city councillors on their unanimous decision on Monday evening. It is a very hopeful sign. It has certainly given hope that we will not lose the opportunity to save Moore Street and one of the most significant historic sites on this island.