Cabinet to discuss implication of Moore Street decision on other projects

The Cabinet will discuss the implications of the designation of parts of Dublin’s Moore Street as a national monument when it meets on Tuesday.

A number of State agencies have expressed concern over the issue since the designation was approved by the High Court in March.

Minister for Heritage Heather Humphreys, will discuss her plans for the location itself, and for dealing with possible fallout from the decision at other locations around the country.

The Government had previously sought to restrict national monument status to Nos 14 – 17 Moore Street. But in March, the High Court granted declarations that various further buildings and locations, in addition to Nos 14-17, comprised a national monument.

Mr Justice Max Barrett ruled that there could be no doubt the streetways and alignments of the Moore Street "theatre of conflict" in the final hours of the 19166 Easter Rising satisfied the criteria in the National Monuments Act.

A spokesman for Ms Humphreys's department confirmed on Monday that, since that ruling, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport and Tourism, along with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have been in contact with Ms Humphreys about the implications of the judgment for major planning and infrastructure projects.

“Since the judgment of the High Court in mid-March, the Minister has sought the advice and input from a number of other Government departments and agencies, as well as the Attorney General,” he said.

“The bodies referred to have expressed concern about the implications of the judgment for planning and development, housing and strategic infrastructure and maintenance of national monuments. The Minister expects to discuss this matter with her Government colleagues tomorrow.”

Ms Humphreys confirmed to the Dáil two weeks ago that she was considering setting up a consultative group on Moore Street as an attempt to make progress on the issue.

The spokesman said no decision had been made on the makeup of such a group, but it could be expected to include Oireachtas members and "other stakeholders".