Public should have say on future of GPO, Fitzpatrick says

Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick has welcomed progress on the redevelopment of the GPO.

First announced by Fine Gael ahead of the 2024 local elections, the redevelopment of the GPO has become a project that the government parties are looking to deliver within the lifetime of this government.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Fitzpatrick said “the GPO has been largely de-tenanted by An Post, which has relocated most of its staff to its new offices by the Point in the docklands. The post office is still operating as is the fabulous GPO museum, which brings to life our history.”

“Masses of space remain, however, and the GPO has been earmarked, something the government called out in establishing the Dublin city task force, a statutory agency dedicated to making the city safer, more livable and more vibrant for everyone, by naming the GPO as an anchor to that plan,” she noted.

The Fianna Fáil Senator said “the GPO is intrinsic to Dublin and to our daily life, but also to our history, our culture and our very independence. There is a huge interest in the redevelopment of the GPO, and I believe the public should have an opportunity to be consulted on this and have a say in what is going to be the next 100 years of our GPO.”

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Charlie McConalogue, said that the Office of Public Works is engaged with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport regarding the future transfer of ownership of the GPO complex.

“The OPW is leading on the redevelopment of the GPO complex as outlined in the Department of the Taoiseach’s interdepartmental group report and road map for delivery and previous government commitments.”

He said that current government plans for the GPO include either high-quality offices on the upper floors to provide “critical accommodation to meet ongoing or additional government requirements,” a “significant” cultural use or uses, retail components within the existing retail footprint, or a “significant public realm enhancements at street level to encourage public use of the GPO complex.”

Senator Fitzpatrick said it was important that the redevelopment of the GPO gathers momentum, pointing to the recent closure of The Complex in Smithfield as an example of Dublin’s cultural spaces facing major challenges.

She said, “we already have great cultural institutions on and near to O’Connell Street, with the Abbey Theatre and Gate Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre has reopened. There is also the new library on Parnell Square and the Hugh Lane Gallery. The GPO presents a real opportunity to again foster and support culture in the heart of the city centre.”

“We recently lost The Complex and are struggling for space in the city, I believe that the steering committee responsible for managing the property and those interim uses should engage with local cultural organisations, which have a national reach, to animate the property in the interim before the full redevelopment commences,” and noted that the works are set to begin in 2029.

Minister McConalogue said, “we want to see the post office aspect of the GPO become enhanced and attract more people, and become even more of an active part of O’Connell Street and Dublin city life. We also want to ensure that the very large complex in the GPO footprint is maximised in its use. We want to ensure it is living and delivering for the local community and retains the important retail aspect of the part of the building that faces onto Henry Street.”

He noted, “this is an issue that the Senator has been leading on in Dublin city and within her constituency. Her leadership and advocacy have been important in making sure that the process we have seen so far has stepped forward. I know the government looks forward to working with her and seeing this important work step out in the best possible timeframe and that investment is made to ensure that the GPO will be an important part of our future, as it was of our history.”