Sir, – The controversy surrounding the release of the Anglo Irish Bank tapes makes for interesting reading and listening for those of us campaigning for State restoration and preservation of the abandoned 1916 national monument in Moore Street/Moore Lane.
In a contract drawn up in February 2004 between Dublin city management and developer Joe O’Reilly, there is a extraordinary clause that places Anglo Irish Bank at the centre of the decision-making process on the proposed development of the Carlton site, including the national monument then under the control of the city council.
Clause 2.9 of that contract states that “in the event that there is a breach of the terms of this contract by the developer it [the city council] will allow sufficient time for the developer’s bankers to obtain a further developer to carry on the development before it exercises fully any of its powers under the CPO [compulsory purchase order]”.
In other words, Anglo Irish Bank would be the decision-maker as to what developer would assume control of this prized asset in the heart of our capital city.
This prompts the question: who was party to the drawing up of this extraordinary clause and upon what basis was it decided that Anglo Irish Bank would choose an alternative developer in the event of default?
It is sobering, to put it mildly, that had Anglo not collapsed financially, chief executive Mr Drumm and his merry Anglo colleagues would now be in charge of developing the 1916 national monument in honour of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
I am tempted to suggest that its present state of decay and dereliction, though shameful, is preferable to that scenario. – Yours, etc,
JAMES CONNOLLY
HERON,
Oxford Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.