Vol. 455 No. 5
1 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he considered giving public funding for the preservation and restoration of the birthplace of Edward Carson at 4 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12401/95]
As the Deputy will know, this building is in private ownership. No application has been received in my Department for public funding for its preservation and restoration.
I am aware of the historic significance of No. 4 Harcourt Street and I am considering affording it protection under the National Monuments Acts.
However, any question of State acquisition of this building must be considered in the context of scarce resources. Priorities for State acquisition of historic properties must be established and I will be seeking the advice of the new Heritage Council on this issue.
I thank the Minister for his positive reply. It is not often that I can stand in this House and say that I am in full agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party. The Minister will remember that some time ago when the preservation of the Carson house was a matter of some controversy, particularly in the newspapers, the DUP and the Rev. Ian Paisley showed an interest and expressed the hope that this building would be preserved. I share those sentiments.
The Minister will be aware that Dublin Corporation has said it would be very expensive to restore and conserve Nos. 3 and 4 Harcourt Street. My question refers to 4 Harcourt Street, which is the Carson house. However, the house next door, 3 Harcourt Street, was the house of the Kerry playwright, George Fitzmaurice, and should also be preserved. Is the Minister aware that both buildings are in a very dilapidated condition at present? I am told that the interiors are in a serious condition. The staircases, floors, ceilings and joinery require immediate attention. The fine Adams-style plasterwork has been damaged and the roof has been stripped of slates. Does this not beg the question——
I hesitate to interrupt the Deputy but the question appears to be too long.
I was taking the opportunity to set the scene, as it were. The building is in a dilapidated condition. I am aware that it is in private ownership. I am also aware that there have not been——
The Deputy has made her point quite adequately.
What further commitment can the Government give today to ensure that this building does not fall into further disrepair and give some people an excuse for demolition?
I appreciate Deputy de Valera's positive approach to this issue. I share her concern. No. 3 Harcourt Street is associated with George Fitzmaurice. The connection of 4 Harcourt Street with Edward Carson is a matter of some debate. However, I accept that it is of historic significance.
This matter was raised on the Adjournment in November, 1993 and the then Minister of State, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, told the House that he intended to ask the Office of Public Works to inspect the building with a view to recommendation for its protection under the National Monuments Act. That inspection took place. It showed that there had been a considerable deterioration of the building. However, I agree with the Deputy that there was some destruction which could only be attributed to vandalism.
Since then, there has been a resolution of the matter which was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. An Bord Pleanála concluded in support of Dublin Corporation. I am asking the Office of Public Works to make a specific recommendation taking into account, as a policy decision, the historic significance of the building. That will afford the building protection. Issue of acquisition and preservation come later. I also understand that Dublin Corporation, in the context of its work on revising its plan, is considering regarding the status of the building in its own list. Both of these developments will be of positive assistance.
I thank the Minister for that positive reply. With regard to the peace process, would it not be a positive idea if the Minister could have discussions with his counterpart in the North in the hope that perhaps another building of historical significance on the Nationalist side could be restored and conserved at the same time, bringing both Nationalist and Unionist opinion together on both sides of the Border? I know it is a cultural matter but there is also a political significance. It would be a positive move and I ask the Minister to consider this.
There are warm relations between myself and my counterpart in Northern Ireland, Michael Ancram. We had a positive discussion in London recently on co-operation on heritage matters. Perhaps there is a small irony in the matter we are discussing this afternoon. The late Edward Carson was not anxious to claim No. 4 as his birthplace but he did not deny it either. Dr. Paisley showed more enthusiasm for recognising this birthplace than Mr. Carson ever did. That being so, I will certainly bear the Deputy's suggestions in mind in future meetings with Lord Ancram.
