Eric J. Byrne
Question:25 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the expected publication date for the promised architectural report; its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/95]
Written Answers. - Listed Buildings Report.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the report on strengthening the protection of listed buildings which is being prepared by an interdepartmental working group, established by myself and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, to which I made reference in my reply of 2 March 1995 to a number of parliamentary questions, including one from the Deputy, relating to the protection of listed buildings, incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such buildings and the burden of public liability insurance costs on the owners of some of these buildings.
The working group is made up of officials of my Department, the Department of the Environment and the Office of Public Works and has now met twice. Its terms of reference are to examine the commitments contained in the policy agreement for A Government of Renewal, which commits the Government to improving the protection for listed buildings, including placing the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis, introducing incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such buildings, undertaking a full national architectural audit and reporting back with recommendations to myself and the Minister for the Environment.
I expect that the report will be completed before the end of this year. In conclusion with the Minister for the Environment, I will give careful consideration to the report and to the introduction of any necessary new policy initiatives in this area.