Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)

I thank the Senator for raising this important matter concerning the future of the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. These buildings are among the most significant surviving locations associated with the Easter Rising and are central to the State’s ongoing commitment to commemorating and preserving our shared history.

As the Senator will be aware, the Government decided to accept the recommendations of the Moore Street advisory group and instructed the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works to advance a project to conserve the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street and to open it as a visitor site commemorating the events of Easter Week 1916.

Since that Government decision, significant work has been undertaken to advance the project. A design team was appointed to lead the development of detailed proposals for the conservation of 14-17 Moore Street. The design has now progressed to a point where the major conservation and design decisions have been settled. An application for ministerial consent under the National Monuments Acts 1930 has recently been lodged and is currently under consideration. In parallel, interpretive designers have advanced the permanent exhibition to detailed design stage.

There is no statutory decision timeframe for ministerial consent beyond a specific two-week consultation period with the National Museum of Ireland. For programming purposes, the OPW has assumed a decision period of approximately eight weeks. At this point, it is not possible to give definitive start and completion dates for the full programme of works prior to the approval of ministerial consent and the completion of procurement. However, the Moore Street project remains a Government priority, and subject to these statutory and procurement processes, it is anticipated that on-site progress will be made in 2026.

The OPW and the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage continue to work closely to progress the project in line with Government direction and statutory requirements. Interim protective measures remain in place to protect the historic fabric while the necessary design, consent and procurement processes are completed.

The conservation and presentation of 14-17 Moore Street represent a major national heritage project. It will honour those who took part in the Rising and create a meaningful and enduring visitor experience of national and international importance. The Government remains fully committed to this project, and I thank the Senator for her ongoing engagement and support as we move closer to the delivery of this important commemorative centre.