Madam, – Your report that An Taoiseach is not only concerned but is prepared to act regarding the current state of the 1916 National Monument at 14 to 17 Moore Street is very welcome news to relatives of the 1916 leaders and members and supporters of the Save 16 Moore Street Committee (Dáil report, April 13th.) For some time now we have been calling for State intervention to protect and preserve intact a national monument that has been allowed to deteriorate to an alarming degree since its designation in 2007. It is imperative that any remedial work to secure and preserve the monument is undertaken by suitably qualified personnel under the direct supervision of the director of the National Museum.
Other measures that will secure this important historical site for future generations would include an extension of national monument status to the entire Moore Street terrace, the listing of other important buildings that were occupied by volunteers in their retreat from the GPO and a decision to develop the area as a battlefield site and 1916 historic and cultural quarter.
Accepting that we are in the process of rebuilding our broken country is there a more fitting place to commence that programme than in the very location where signatories to our Proclamation of Independence spent their last hours of freedom before their execution? – Yours, etc,