Government must protect Moore Street-GPO battlefield site – Deputy Seán Crowe

Speaking after a debate this week in the Dáil on a cross-party motion, proposed by Sinn Féin and supported by 50 TDs on the preservation and restoration of the 1916 battlefield site at Moore Street, Dublin, was opposed by the government Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe said:

“A good deal of time and effort was directed at getting all-party support for the Sinn Féin motion. Gerry Adams wrote to all the party leaders and spoke to the leader of the Labour Party on the issue.

“The motion calling for the protection of the terrace at Moore Street and the battlefield site that surrounds it was written in close co-operation with the families of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. It encompassed their goals and objectives.

“When put to the Dáil it was to draw attention to the issue, and to raise consciousness of the threat to the historical site. In this respect, the motion was successful.

“The onus is on the government to protect the national monument at Moore Street and the 1916 Battlefield site. These are the lanes of history.

“I welcome the Minister’s commitment to engage in full consultation and in particular promise to meet with the families of the 1916 leaders to explore their ideas and wishes.

“The vast majority of speakers in the Dáil debate spoke positively about this issue and the Oireachtas, as the custodian of the National Monument, must now act. We need to go forward on this issue in a unified way and ensure the historic sites of the Easter Rising are protected.”