Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

It is important then that Sinn Féin stop this dangerous false narrative that somehow there is a plan to sell it off to private enterprise. There is absolutely no plan. In fact, the responsible Minister confirmed that not once, but twice and maybe three times, last week on the record of the Dáil. Sinn Féin has posters up on the main streets of our capital city that say "Save the GPO". It has an online petition - I wonder what it is using that for - asking people to sign to fight to save the GPO. The GPO is not under any threat. It is in State ownership and will remain in State ownership.

The State is investing in developing the GPO and, as Senator Murphy mentioned, 14 to 17 Moore Street. The Senator might want to consult Deputies Ó Snodaigh and McDonald. They were there yesterday with me. They know that a painstaking conservation-led project is being undertaken there. They know the State purchased 14 to 17 Moore Street and put a national protection order on the site. They also know that the State has already spent almost €10 million developing it. I ask Senator Murphy and every member of Sinn Féin to stop with the fake news and scaremongering and get behind the State's plans to keep these important historic sites in State ownership and develop them-----