Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street, Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32179/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I am pressing ahead as speedily as possible with the arrangements for the preservation and restoration of the national monument at Nos. 14-17 Moore Street and the creation of a dedicated 1916 Commemorative Centre on the site.

The ongoing consultative process with the 1916 Relatives Association is being maintained as we develop the plans for the Commemorative Centre, which will be run as a public facility and will, I believe, be a fitting tribute to the 1916 Leaders and to the events that took place in Moore Street in 1916. My intention is to have the Commemorative Centre - which will also enhance and complement the 1916 visitor facility currently being developed in the GPO and from where the insurgents retreated to Moore Street - open to the public at the earliest possible date next year.

The objective of the Government’s decision to acquire Nos. 14–17 Moore Street was to bring the national monument into public ownership, to secure its long-term future and to complete the development of the proposed 1916 Commemorative Centre as quickly as possible. The Government’s decision also clearly demonstrates that the State is acknowledging the historical importance of the site in a clear and substantive way and that the long-term future of this historical landmark will be secured and safeguarded.