Speaking in response to the Dublin City Council vote last night, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, said “I am disappointed that Dublin City Council chose not to support this plan, which would have released NAMA funding for the development of an appropriate commemorative centre to the leaders of the 1916 Rising in the national monument at Nos. 14 to 17 Moore Street, and also put the monument itself into the ownership of the City Council.
“The restoration plans for the monument buildings were approved by my predecessor, Jimmy Deenihan, following detailed consideration and appraisal of all relevant factors, and extensive consultations with interested parties.
“I believe the proposal put before the City Council provided a real opportunity to have the restoration work completed and the Commemorative Centre open in time for the centenary of the Rising in 2016.”