Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 8

Written Answers. - EU Architectural Heritage Scheme.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

44 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will raise the need to secure additional moneys for the successful EU architectural heritage scheme at the next meeting of the European Council of Culture Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17548/95]

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

The European Commission has been supporting the conservation of the European architectural heritage with its scheme of grant aid for pilot projects since 1984. Since the inception of the scheme, a total of 24 Irish projects have received grant aid.

Under Article 128 of the Maastricht Treaty a wide-ranging programme (the Raphael Programme) for European co-operation for the protection of the European cultural heritage, integrating the architectural heritage scheme, has been proposed by EU Commission.

I supported this programme at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on 20 November 1995 in Brussels but the unanimity required under Article 128 was not achieved. It now falls to the Italian Presidency to endeavour to make further progress in this matter. In the meantime, I understand that the Commission is looking at the renewal of the pilot project scheme for the interim.