Govt Vote Down Moore Street Proposals

Plans to redevelop the Moore Street area in Dublin city centre and designate it as a historical quarter have been voted down by Fine Gael and Labour.

Government Senators refused to back a Fianna Fáil Bill in the Seanad, which had the support of the 1916 Relatives Group, the Save Moore Street Committee and the Moore Street traders.  Only one Labour and two Fine Gael Senators turned up to speak in the debate and they failed to put forward any alternative proposals to the plan.

The Fianna Fáil Leader on Dublin City Council, Cllr Paul McAuliffe, said the Government has wasted an opportunity to clean up one of the most historical locations in the country and boost the economy of the area.

"Moore Street desperately needs regeneration and I am appalled that the Government has voted against such constructive plans. The Fianna Fáil Bill will establish an urban redevelopment company that would work with local traders, landowners and the Council to rejuvenate Moore Street and designate it as a historical quarter.  But it seems the Government is happy to leave the area without any economic plan and leave the historical buildings in danger of collapse," Cllr McAuliffe said.

"The families of the 1916 leaders, the local traders and the campaigners who have worked tirelessly to preserve this historical site were in attendance for this Seanad debate and were extremely disappointed by the Government’s behaviour.  We consulted extensively with them on our plans and together we believe it would provide a bright future for the birthplace of the Republic and the heart of Dublin city centre."

(MH)