Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 8

Written Answers. - Cross-Border Heritage Co-Operation.

Brendan Smith

Question:

35 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the discussions, if any, he has had with the Heritage Division of the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland or with the Historic Buildings Council; the proposals, if any, there are to develop projects on a cross-Border basis; if so, the progress, if any, made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17790/95]

At the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in London on 30 June 1995, heritage matters were discussed and it was agreed that there was potential for developing increased North-South co-operation on matters relating to the Heritage.

My officials subsequently met with officials of the Environment Service, Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland, in Belfast and engaged in wide-ranging discussions in relation to heritage issues. It was agreed that the officials would meet annually as a steering committee to review progress on these issues. A working group at professional level on underwater archaeology was formed, reporting to the Steering Committee. In addition, officials from both sides will meet to share knowledge and experience in relation to the use of thatch on vernacular buildings and forward reports annually to the Steering Committee.

I should add that there are regular contacts between officials of my Department and their counterparts in the North, particularly in the context of EU Directives and of international conventions.

Top
Share