Last month, the Dáil unanimously supported an Teachta Aengus Ó Snodaigh's legislation to preserve and revitalise Moore Street in Dublin as a cultural quarter. At its meeting earlier this month, Dublin City Council voted unanimously to make Moore Street an architectural conservation area, a decision which imposes strict planning controls on the demolition of buildings in the area. As a result of both of these votes, no planning application by the developer should be allowed to proceed that undermines the clear wishes of elected representatives in this House or indeed in the council. This area has been described by the National Museum as the most important historic site in modern Irish history.

Does the Tánaiste agree that the processing of any application by the developer at this time would represent direct interference with the legislative process and render the votes of this Dáil and the city council meaningless? Will he ensure the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage makes it clear to any State agencies that may be required to provide letters of consent that it is the Government's view that issuing such letters in respect of such a planning application would be contrary to proper planning and a betrayal of the public interest in this matter?

I am afraid I may have to come back to the Deputy with a further reply on this but my understanding is that if a planning application is lodged, it is lodged under the existing law, not under a proposed law or a future law. I do not know much about proposals to revise this development. I received a presentation some years ago about what was planned for the area. I know we purchased four buildings on Moore Street which constitute a national monument. They are in Government ownership, so it is for the Government to decide how that is developed. It is a different matter for the wider area.