Regeneration Projects
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-05
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Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Seanad today to address my Commencement matter seeking an update on the GPO on O'Connell Street, Dublin. The GPO on O'Connell Street is so much more than just a post office. Designed by the famous Irish architect Francis Johnston, it was first opened in 1818 and has gone through many iterations in its lifetime of more than 200 years. In 1916 it was the centre point for the Rising. The building was largely demolished after 1916. It was not until the twenties that a decision was made by the new State to rebuild. The facade was retained but the interior was dramatically altered and the footprint massively extended to the point where, for over 100 years, the GPO has operated not just with the classical facade that we see with the columns on O'Connell Street but right behind it all the way down Henry Street, where there are the shops, offices, retail space, commercial space and the GPO Arcade.
The GPO has been largely de-tenanted by An Post, which has relocated most of its staff to its new offices by the Point in the docklands, . The post office is still operating as is the fabulous GPO museum, which brings to life our history. Masses of space remain however and the GPO has been earmarked, something the Government called out in establishing the Dublin city task force, a statutory agency dedicated to making the city safer, more livable and more vibrant for everyone, by naming the GPO as an anchor to that plan.
I am hoping the Minister of State can share with the House the progress that has been made by the Government and the Dublin city task force in developing a plan for the GPO. I am particularly keen to understand, and I am sure the Minister of State will appreciate, the huge public interest in the GPO. It is not just a place people go to buy stamps. It is sometimes a place where they go to protest when they have an issue. If a you want to build a romance, is a good place to meet. Everybody knows it and there can be no mistake where you are meeting. The GPO is intrinsic to Dublin and to our daily life, but also to our history, our culture and our very independence. There is a huge interest in the redevelopment of the GPO and I believe the public should have an opportunity to be consulted on this and have a say in what is going to be the next 100 years of our GPO. I hope the Minister of State can update the House today on that process. What has been done to date? Will there be an opportunity for public consultation?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-05