Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for the development of the 14-17 Moore Street national monument, Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16154/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The position is that, in January 2007, the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government placed a preservation order on Nos. 14 to 17 Moore St under the National Monuments Acts. The order was made on the grounds that No. 16 Moore Street is a monument, the preservation of which is of national importance by reason of its historical significance as the site of the final council of war and final headquarters of the Provisional Government, which included five of the Proclamation signatories — Pearse, Connolly, Plunkett, Clarke and McDermott.

The purpose of the preservation order is to ensure the preservation of No. 16 Moore Street in the context of wider redevelopment proposals centred on the former Carlton Cinema site. To achieve this objective, the order also covers Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and includes the yards to the rear of Nos. 15 and 16 Moore Street, extending to Nos. 8 and 9 Moore Lane. The effect of the order is that works affecting these properties, including any excavation or ground disturbance within, around or in proximity to them, will require my prior written consent.

In relation to the question of my plans for development work at Nos 14–17, I must point out that the buildings are in private ownership. The preservation Order does not confer on the Minister the power to carry out works to such a privately owned National Monument. The purpose of the Order is to protect the monument from any danger of being destroyed, injured or removed. In that regard any works affecting the monument will require my prior written consent under the National Monuments Acts.

The proposed development of the Carlton Cinema site, in accordance with the permission granted by An Bord Pleanála, envisages the retention of Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street and, subject to ministerial consent under the National Monuments Acts, the development of a commemorative centre at the site. Detailed proposals in this regard were submitted to my Department last Friday. The proposals will now be carefully considered by me and by officials of my Department and my written consent will be required prior to the commencement of any works.