Sunday 18 May 2014, Dublin.
The Green Party has today called on An Taoiseach Enda Kennyto save Moore Street and the surrounding 1916 Battlefield site from demolition.
Speaking at the 'Arms around Moore Street' rally today, theGreen Party's local election candidate in Dublin's North Inner City, CiaránCuffe, said: "Moore Street and its surroundings belong to us all. Just asTemple Bar was saved from the wrecking ball in the nineteen-eighties by CharlieHaughey's intervention, it is now time for Enda Kenny to step up and protectour irreplaceable heritage. It would be shameful if this 1916 Battlefield sitewas sacrificed for another shopping centre.
"What we need is a plan that encourages people to 'Live Overthe Shop' in renovated buildings. Such an initiative could also allow for smallinfill buildings that would respect their surroundings. We also need anapproach that supports the existing shops and street traders and helps them toexpand, such as a market that would attract people at weekends. Enda Kennyshould take the lead and speak up for Moore Street.
"If elected to Dublin City Council, I will propose a LocalArea Plan that would safeguard our heritage. Such a plan would cover the areabetween More Street, O'Connell Street, Henry Street and Parnell Street. It isimportant to stand up to NAMA and developer Joe O'Reilly, who controls much ofthe land in the area. While they intend to hold on to four buildings, theyintend to sacrifice dozens of others on the altar of progress. The area alreadyhas the ILAC and the Jervis Centre - it doesn't need another shopping centre.O'Reilly developed the Dundrum Shopping Centre, but the last thing we need is asuburban shopping mall approach to Moore Street. It would destroy the area if asimilar scheme was proposed for Moore Street."
ENDS
More information
Ciarán Cuffe 087 265 2075
Press Officer
+353 1 6790012
+353 86 6610972
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