Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 2

Adjournment Debate. - Interpretative Centres.

Miss Quill

I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for selecting this topic for discussion this evening. I thank the Minister also for coming into the House to respond.

The decision of An Bord Pleanála in relation to Luggala is a landmark one in terms of content and tenor. It is also a decision that will inevitably form a precedent in respect of all future planning decisions in matters of this nature. If the landscape of Luggala is adjudged to be of such great national importance, how much more important, precious and unique is the landscape of the Burren?

If the proposed development currently under consideration by Clare County Council is given planning permission by that body, that decision will inevitably be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.It is reasonable to assume that if An Bord Pleanála is consistent with its decision in regard to Luggala, the decision by Clare County Council will be overturned and the appeal will be upheld.

I appeal to the Minister to intervene at this stage and withdraw the Government application currently before Clare County Council. If the Minister does that, it will avert further squandering of public moneys. I am also asking the Minister to ensure that steps are taken immediately to restore the landscape at Luggala to its original condition.

The Office of Public Works stands condemned for the manner in which it proceeded in relation to Luggala. It knew it had no legal right to do what was done but nevertheless it proceeded with the work to the tune of £1.6 million.An additional £400,000 will now have to be provided by the taxpayers to undo the damage that has been done to Luggala. The lesson from that surely is that the Office of Public Works must be stopped in its tracks in relation to Mul-laghmore.

I appeal to the Minister to anticipate any future decision An Bord Pleanála might make in respect of this type of development, to intervene now and to call a halt to what is happening at Mullaghmore.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I am grateful to Deputy Quill for raising this matter on the Adjournment.

Following controversy in relation to these centres which led to a Supreme Court judgement in May 1993, that the State is not exempt from the requirements to seek full planning permission, the then Government decided, in June 1993, that a process of public consultation should be conducted by the Office of Public Works, following which the then Minister of State in charge of that Office would decide the course of action to be taken. As the Deputy knows, his decision was to apply for planning permission for slightly altered proposals in the three cases and the present position is as follows: in the case of the Boyne Valley, planning permission was granted by Meath County Council and upheld by An Bord Pleanála; in the case of Luggala, planning permission was granted by Wicklow County Council but rejected by An Bord Pleanála; and in the case of Mullaghmore, the planning application is still under consideration by Clare County Council.

The policy agreement between the three parties forming the present Government states: "The future of the proposed Interpretative Centres at Mullaghmore, Luggala and the Boyne Valley will be a decision by the incoming Government". As Minister responsible for heritage matters, it will be for me to bring recommendations in relation to each of the three centres to Government and I will be doing this in the next few weeks.

The decision of An Bord Pleanála on 13 February 1995 to refuse planning permission for the proposed centre at Luggala and, in particular the grounds on which this decision was based, are very significant and have a bearing on the possible options which could and should be considered for that site or in the choice of an alternative site. That decision must also be taken into account in my consideration of the Mullaghmore case. My officials are looking into the technical aspects of the case but, as I have said, I will be putting proposals to Government in the coming weeks in regard to the policy which should be adopted in each of the three cases.

Miss de Valera

Would it be possible to get a copy of the Minister's speech?

An Ceann Comhairle

I am sure the Deputy will be facilitated.