Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 1005 Wednesday, No. 3 24 March 2021 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) 24/03/2021A00100Ceathrú Chultúir 1916 Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 293 24/03/2021T00400Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 319 24/03/2021X01000Estimates for Public Services 2021: Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 328 24/03/2021X01200An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 328 24/03/2021BB00200Road Traffic (Amendment) (Electric Scooter Trials) Bill 2021: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 335 24/03/2021BB01000Firearms and Offensive Weapons (Amendment) Bill 2021: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 337 24/03/2021CC00800Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 338 24/03/2021CC00900Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 338 24/03/2021DD00450Cabinet Committees � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 342 24/03/2021FF00200Cabinet Committees � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 345 24/03/2021GG01100Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 349 24/03/2021VV00050Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 375 24/03/2021GGG00300Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Order for Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 400 24/03/2021GGG00600Residential Tenancies Bill 2021: Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 401 24/03/2021MMM01100Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed)� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 24/03/2021MMM01200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 24/03/2021MMM01250Aviation Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 412 24/03/2021NNN00200Aviation Industry � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 415 24/03/2021NNN01000Driver Test � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 417 24/03/2021OOO00600Ports Development � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 419 24/03/2021PPP00350Climate Change Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 421 24/03/2021QQQ00200Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 423 24/03/2021QQQ00300Park-and-Ride Facilities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 423 24/03/2021QQQ01100Covid-19 Pandemic Supports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 425 24/03/2021RRR01000Public Transport � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 428 24/03/2021SSS00900Road Projects� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 430 24/03/2021TTT00350Rail Network � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 432 24/03/2021UUU00200Local Improvement Scheme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 434 24/03/2021VVV00100Rail Network � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 436 24/03/2021VVV01200Estimates for Public Services 2021: Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 437 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 24 Márta 2021 Wednesday, 24 March 2021 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 24/03/2021A00100Ceathrú Chultúir 1916 Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] 24/03/2021A00200Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh: I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time�” Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a thógáil mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leo siúd ar fad a ghríos mé agus a chuidigh liom an obair seo a chur i gcrích� Gabhaim buíochas leo siúd ar fad atá gafa leis an bhfeachtas chun Sráid an Mhúraigh a chaomhnú� Tá a lán acu ann a bhí gafa san fheachtas sin sula raibh mise ceangailte leis� I thank my colleagues for allowing me to move Second Stage of the Ceathrú Chultúir 1916 Bill 2021. I look forward not only to seeing it progressing today but also to its progress through Committee Stage and back to the House again. Its purpose is to ensure that an area of Dublin city centre that is now quite derelict will be the location of an appropriate cultural quarter and an appropriate memorial to those who fought and died in 1916. There are people who are consumed with anti-Sinn Féin hostility and cannot see beyond criticism of this legislation� In fact, the Bill is based on legislation that was introduced by the then Senator, now Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, for which I applauded him at the time. There have been other Bills introduced seeking to ensure that this area be set up as an appropri- ate cultural quarter. I want to see that concept of a cultural quarter located in the heart of the city, in an area which is celebrated by many as being quintessentially Dublin. We want an area that celebrates, commemorates and illustrates what it was like to be a volunteer of Cumann na mBan, Óglaigh na hÉireann or the Irish Citizen Army, or a member of Fianna Éireann, rushing jaded from the inferno that was the GPO that Friday in April 1916, a few long days after the Proclamation was first read aloud on O’Connell Street. It should show what it was like for the IRA garrison that ran up Henry Place with James Connolly on a stretcher, under constant fire, before breaking into No� 10 Moore Street, disturbing the residents and then starting to burrow all the way down the terrace. I cannot do justice in the few minutes I have to the atmosphere, tension and apprehension of all those long hours in Moore Street. The historian Ray Bateson used survivors’ own words in a beautifully-put-together bilingual book, Battle of Moore Street 1916 Cath Shráid Uí Mhórdha. It is published by Kilmainham Tales. He has captured all that for us. I urge those who have an interest to purchase a copy. It is a beautiful book and it is 293 Dáil Éireann easily read� How did it feel to be a volunteer in O’Hanlon’s yard at 20-21 Moore Street while Tom Clarke, Joseph Plunkett, and Michael Collins tried to persuade the volunteers to stand down after the Army Council had met in 16 Moore Street and decided on the surrender? How did it feel to hear the persuasive calm quite comments from Seán Mac Diarmada when he outlined that only the leaders would be shot and that the ordinary volunteer would live to fight another day? “We, who will be shot, will die happy - knowing that there are still plenty of you around who will finish the job.” That is a quote from the book. “All changed, changed utterly: A ter- rible beauty is born”, as Yeats says in the poem Easter, 1916� How right he was� Many of the men and women gathered in that yard and in the houses of Moore Street at that time were to regroup, reorganise and learn from the week-long Republic as they began the next phase of the long fight for freedom after a few short months of incarceration in Frongoch internment camp. Moore Street is not only about the Rising� It is, was and will be a street market and a living street with residents, shops, cafes and stalls. The Mercier Press book, Moore Street: The Story of Dublin’s Market District by Barry Kennerk is an essential read for those who want to learn about the long history of the street, the market and its characters. When we think of Dublin we think of the street traders crying “Two for a penny”, “Two for a pound” or, nowadays, “Two for a euro”. I do not think “Two for a bitcoin” will really take off but one never knows and we will see in the future. Anyway, they are the phases associated with the history of the area. Those phases capture the breadth of the market for the 150 years it has been in place. The intention of the Bill is to preserve the lanes and buildings of Moore Street. It is to restore the cobble lanes and the buildings to their former condition and then awaken the area again with life and make it a living museum� The area of cultural and historical tourism is one of the fastest growing areas of tourism today. Many of us