Speaking after a cross-party motion, proposed by Sinn Féin and supported by 50 TDs on the preservation and restoration of the 1916 battlefield site, at Moore Street, Dublin, was opposed by the government in the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams TD, said:

"There was a serious effort to get all party support for the motion. I wrote to all of the party leaders and spoke to the leader of the Labour Party on the issue.

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"The motion was written in close co-operation with the families of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation and encompassed their goals and objectives regarding the terrace at Moore Street and the battlefield site that surrounds it.

"It was put to the Dáil on that basis: to draw attention to the issue, and to raise consciousness of the threat to the historical site. In this respect, the motion has been successful.

"The onus is on the government to protect the national monument at Moore Street and the 1916 Battlefield site. These are the lanes of history.

“I welcome the Ministers commitment to full consultation and in particular his commitment to meet with the families of the 1916 leaders to explore their ideas and wishes."

(CD)