Plans to redevelop GPO a betrayal of history, says Sinn Féin
Plans approved by the Government to redevelop the GPO in Dublin city have been branded a shameful betrayal of Ireland's proud revolutionary history by Sinn Féin.
Earlier this week the Government backed plans to redevelop the GPO into a mixed-use precinct, to include possible retail components, offices, the retention of a post office and significant cultural use.
Sinn Féin said the Government wants to turn the GPO into a shopping mall and is turning its back on the rich revolutionary history associated with the building.
On RTÉ's This Week, Louise O'Reilly said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot be trusted on this.
"To take the Louvre in Paris for example, they protect and preserve their heritage," she said.
"How we treat the GPO is a measure to how we respect and treat the history and culture of our capital city."
"This is an issue that is very, very dear to Dubliners and to every person that lives on this island."
"This will be resisted," added Deputy O'Reilly.
"We're bringing a motion to the Dáil on Tuesday and I would encourage all people to engage with it. We need to preserve the GPO. It is a site of incredible historical importance."
In response, Fine Gael's James Geoghegan said that it is the Government's intention that it "would be put into museum, cultural use" .
"Of all manufactured rows Sinn Féin has been involved in, this one really takes the biscuit" he said.
"The GPO is not the building of any political party," said Deputy Geoghegan.
"The GPO is the most important building in the foundation of our state. It's a monument to the heroism of the most ordinary people in this country."
"In the GPO, right now, there are 25 retail units along the Henry Street end of the building," he added.
"The GPO building is an enormous building. In truth what the building has been, until relatively recent time, has been our general post office.
"What we're talking about it how do we make the GPO a place that is filled with people again... and reflects the importance of that building to the foundation of the state."
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