Fórsa has welcomed the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ (ICTU) decision to support the Moore Street Master Plan.  

Put forth by the Moore Street Preservation Trust, the plan is a detailed proposal for renewing and revitalising Dublin’s Moore Street area while maintaining the area’s important history as a site of the 1916 Rising and the city’s oldest open-air market. 

The decision was made following a meeting between ICTU and the Preservation Trust. Congress general secretary Owen Reidy described the proposal as “a credible, and exciting plan.” He said: “The master plan is an opportunity to correct decades of institutional neglect, to honour what happened there in 1916, and to build a better future for the surrounding community.” 

Owen said: “The links between 1916 and the labour movement are deep and well-documented. We intend to be active stakeholders in this process, and we will be making that case clearly to Government and to Dublin City Council. Moore Street deserves a plan equal to its significance, and we believe that the Preservation Trust has provided one." 

The Moore Street Preservation Trust’s master plan for the Moore Street area hopes to renew and revitalise the Moore Street Market and surrounding streets, turning one of Dublin’s more neglected areas into a vibrant and cultural significant quarter.

Fórsa deputy general secretary, Éamonn Donnelly welcomed ICTU’s commitment to the responsible regeneration of Moore Street. 

He said: “The redevelopment of Moore Street has been a contentious issue in Dublin over the years. I think everyone recognises the area needs significant work, but we just want it to be done right.” 

Previous proposals for developing the area have faced significant barriers and public backlash.  

Éamonn said: “It’s an area of historic importance, and a lot of Dubs have fond memories of the market. At the end of the day the previous proposals didn’t really match the significance of the area and what it represents.” 

“It’s great to see ICTU putting the support of the trade union movement behind the Preservation Trust’s proposal. It’s the best plan we have for preserving Moore Street’s history and culture, and for making the street a place people want to go to again.” 

You can find the full master plan here.

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