Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West, Seán Crowe, has labelled the Government’s inaction as being the primary cause that is leading to the destruction of part of Ireland’s national heritage and the battlefield site on Moore Street.

Crowe was speaking in Dáil on a Private Members motion tabled by Sinn Féin that seeks to secure the battlefield site from demolition.

Deputy Crowe:

“Moore Street has a special place in the hearts of Irish people.

“In an act of cultural vandalism this Government is attempting to destroy part of our national heritage and the battlefield site on Moore Street.

“This street is teeming with history and significance. It is part of the DNA of Dublin and its people.

“It is clear in this historic year that there is a huge groundswell of public opinion in favour of preserving and developing not only 14 to 17 Moore Street, but the entire battlefield site.

“Although they try to shift the blame, the primary responsibility for the mess that is Moore Street and the surrounding area as far as O’Connell Street rests with this Government and its predecessors.

“It was this Government that refused to use the legislative powers at their disposal to stop NAMA – a State Agency – from selling off the entire Moore Street terrace, which was in their power to do so under the NAMA act.

“The bald facts are that this Government have been more than happy to hand over part of our national heritage to developers, speculators, and profiteers to do what they like.

“They see Moore Street through a different prism and this site purely as a source of speculative profit.

“Our vision is different. We want to see the area preserved and redeveloped in a manner worthy of its history.

“Its not too much to ask.

“We want the area from the GPO to Parnell Square, including Moore Street, to be officially recognised as a 1916 revolutionary quarter and, as such, be marked and designated a national monument under the protection of the State.

“Sending in the bulldozers to Moore Street is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. It will be resisted and resisted fiercely in this 100^th Anniversary of the Rising.

“I commend and applaud the 1916 relatives committee on securing a stay of works at Moore Street, and those who occupied the site to stop its demolition.

“Its now up to the courts. Will they stand with the people and relatives of 1916 or bow down to the developer and speculators.”

ENDS