Vol. 420 No. 4
73 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the specific legislative basis which authorises the Office of Public Works to engage in the construction of interpretative centres and the specific legislation which entitles the Government to establish the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
97 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the statutory authority under which the Government maintain that the relevant Department are entitled to take any measures directly or indirectly in relation to the Wicklow National Park which has no statutory basis.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 97 together.
Although there is no specific legislation governing the establishment of National Parks in Ireland, apart from the Bourne Vincent Memorial Part Act, 1932, there is legislation available to underpin activities undertaken in pursuit of public policy in this area.
The position of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, the body to whom this work is entrusted, is provided for under the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924. Powers to acquire and sell land on behalf of the State are conferred on the Commissioners under the State Property Act, 1954, and earlier legislation. Under the Local Government Planning and Development Act, 1963 the Commissioners may, after appropriate consultations, carry out building developments. The criteria for the management of parks and the provision thereon of facilities is set out by the World Conservation Association and the United Nations and have been endorsed by successive Governments. All National Parks are situated on State owned land.
