asked the Minister for Transport and Power what functions Bord Fáilte have in relation to ensuring the retention of the scenic beauty of any area before permission for the establishment of a factory is given, where such development can possibly do harm to the tourist industry as in the establishment of a fertiliser factory on the Shelton Estate, Vale of Avoca, County Wicklow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Preservation of Scenic Amenities.
10.
Bord Fáilte have a general function under section 5 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952 to protect and maintain and to aid in protecting and maintaining historic buildings, sites and shrines and places of scenic, historic, scientific or other interest to the public.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 (Permission) Regulations, 1964, a planning authority is required to give notice to Bord Fáilte where it appears that development is proposed in an area of special amenity or would obstruct any view or prospect of special amenity value or special interest, or would detract from the value of any tourist amenity works or from any feature of particular interest. It is open to Bord Fáilte to make representations to the planning authority on any proposal and the Board may appeal to the Minister for Local Government against the decision of the planning authority.
Could the Minister say if Bord Fáilte made any representations with regard to the Shelton Abbey fertiliser factory?
The Minister for Industry and Commerce at that time said he had received no representations from Bord Fáilte against the establishment of the factory. There was some confusion. Bord Fáilte claimed they had not in fact a specific scheme before them. In any event, no representations had been received.
Would the Minister consider it worthwhile to try to clear up the misunderstanding between Bord Fáilte and the Department of Industry and Commerce?
Knock down the factory again?
Tourism is our biggest moneymaker and surely consideration should be given to matters such as that which took place in the Avoca Valley?
I think it far more important to look forward to the future and to get what help we can from the National Institute for Physical Planning established by the Minister for Local Government, which is initiating surveys of a regional character into the preservation of tourist amenities. Under the new Planning Act, it should be possible to devise general principles which will apply everywhere. It is much better to look forward to the future in regard to that than look back to something which, in any event, was done when the planning legislation was inadequate.