I can assure the Deputy that I share his concern for the protection of Dublin's heritage.
I have seen newspaper reports of the statement by the national chairperson of An Taisce to which the Deputy refers. It appears that this was made in the context of the allocation of European Union funding.
The Deputy will be aware that local authorities also have responsibilities relating to the built and natural heritage and it may be that the issues he has in mind would be more appropriate to them. For my part, the protection afforded by the National Monuments Acts and the Wildlife Act is and will continue to be applied as and when required; it is also my policy to promote continued co-operation between the national monuments and historic properties service and the national parks and wildlife service and the local authorities for the protection of the heritage. The local authorities have a vital role to play in relation to the preservation of all of Dublin's heritage, through their planning and development process, in addition to their powers under the National Monuments Acts.
The strategies for the protection of the heritage are of course, subject to ongoing review within my Department, in consultation with the Department of the Environment and other relevant bodies.
