Bill that will ‘preserve and revitalise’ Moore Street to be debated in Dáil

A Sinn Fein TD has called on all parties to back a bill which will “preserve and revitalise” the historic 1916 Moore Street Quarter when it appears before the Dáil this week.

Paul Donnelly, TD for Dublin West says the area needs formal protection.

“The Moore Street district is an incredibly important place in terms of our revolutionary history, our culture and our heritage as a nation.

“Moore Street is where five of the leaders of the Easter Rising met for the last time,” he says.

“The Moore Street terrace and the laneways that make up the battlefield site must be preserved as a National Monument and as a living museum in order to safeguard our history for future generations.

“The management of Ireland’s history, heritage and culture cannot be left in the hands of private developers. It is too important and too valuable,” says Deputy Donnelly.

The bill is set to be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday.

“My colleague, Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh is bringing a bill to the Dáil this week to protect our country’s proud history.

“The bill supports the 1916 relatives’ major regeneration plan to create a cultural quarter around Moore Street, preserving the built heritage of Moore Street, where the 1916 Rising Volunteers fought and died.

“Sinn Féin’s bill does this through three key steps.

“Firstly, it gives legal recognition to An Cheathrú Chultúir – a Moore Street Cultural Quarter.

“Secondly, it preserves the built heritage of Moore Street to protect it from destruction.

“Finally, it will regenerate the local area to boost tourism and footfall by giving space to the development of art, music and sport, as we well as establishing a permanent outdoor market.”

Deputy Donnelly says that the site has been earmarked for development with a private company expected to submit planning permission next month.

“It’s time to take a stand against our city being used for soulless commercial and retail projects which destroy our heritage and fail to benefit local communities.

“The development of a modern historical quarter – shaped around the Moore Street site – is about preserving our revolutionary history, our language and culture but it is also about putting heritage and culture at the very centre of the social and economic regeneration of the North Inner City.

“This has the potential to revitalise the area, attract jobs and tourism, and turn the tide of decades of neglect by successive governments,” he says.

“As we approach the 105th anniversary of the Easter Rising, the plan for the preservation and development of Moore Street is something that all the people of Ireland can get excited about and get behind.

“This Wednesday, the Dáil will consider Sinn Féin’s bill to put the establishment of a Moore Street historical quarter on a legislative footing to ensure that the State has a responsibility to turn this exciting plan into reality.

“I’m calling on all parties to back this bill, protect our history and provide crucial investment in our communities.”