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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Silk Road Café closure

Summary

Deputy Hayes raises the forced six-month closure of the Silk Road Café at Dublin Castle during EU Presidency preparations and criticises the lack of engagement with the operator. The Taoiseach says the Presidency may not be the real cause, is seeking further details, and cautions against discussing unresolved matters publicly.

A Cheann Comhairle, you might join me in welcoming Abraham Phelan and Rikke Sorensen from the Silk Road Café, who are here in the Gallery. This past weekend, the Silk Road Café, a private operator in the Chester Beatty Library on the Dublin Castle campus, was forced to close as a result of upcoming EU Presidency events there. Over the last number of weeks, several of us in this Chamber have raised the issue and written to various Ministers but no one has given us an adequate response. The lack of engagement with a business that has provided excellent services to the public in one of our national institutions for 25 years gives me great concern about how other small businesses in similar positions are to be treated by the State. Given that this is the last question the Taoiseach is taking today and I think this week, and given that Abraham is here now, will the Taoiseach now meet Abraham and intervene to ensure his business is properly supported and compensated given this Government-imposed closure?

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I did not realise people were coming into the Public Gallery. I am not in a position to meet today. I have checked this out and I have to be careful in what I say. I understand it is not down to the European Union Presidency and there may be other issues - I do not know. I do not know if it is up for tender. Sorry, when I say I do not know, there have been indications that there are wider issues but I would not want the Presidency to be a factor in closing down the café.

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It definitely was in the next month. He has a lease until-----

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I was told the reason for the six-month closure was the Presidency. I do not think that is a fair argument either. I would not want any facility to have to close for six months because of the EU Presidency. It does not merit that from a security point of view. The main activities at Dublin Castle are to the latter part of the Presidency. There will be ongoing events but there has to be balance and perspective. I have checked this out and I do not think it is closing for six months because of the Presidency. I think the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle is involved. I have asked my officials to check and they have-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I thank the Taoiseach.

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-----and that is the feedback. It is better that these issues are not discussed publicly.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

The Taoiseach's time is up.

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You need the details of this to discuss it publicly and that is problematic too.

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