Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 5

Written Answers. - Preservation of Buildings.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

24 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 25 of 26 April 1995, (reference number 7715/95) he has received the architectural report being prepared by the interdepartmental working group; when he intends to publish the report; the time frame for the implementation of its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3204/96]

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

82 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, he has to establish a statutory listing system for the preservation of buildings and monuments of architectural, historical or cultural importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3205/96]

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

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 24 and 82 together.

As I have on several occasions incidated in this House, I and my colleague, Deputy Brendan Howlin, Minister for the Environment, established, in February 1995, an interdepartmental working group made up of officials of our Departments and of the Office of Public Works to examine and report back with recommendations on 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 and undertaking a full national architectural audit, pursuant to commitments in the policy agreement for Government entitledA Government of Renewal.

To date, the working group has met on thirteen occasions, and I am informed that it is making good progress and expects to be able to submit its report within the next few months. The working group has not been asked to prepare a report for publication but to report the recommendations of the officials for the consideration of the Minister for the Environment and myself. I can assure the Deputies that we will give careful consideration to the report, to the introduction of any necessary new policy initiatives in this area, and to the most suitable time frame for the implementation of such initiatives having regard to the nature and extent of such initiatives.

Specifically in relation to the preservation of monuments there has existed since 1930 a body of legislation, the National Monuments Acts, under which National Monuments have been protected. In addition, the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, introduced by me, provides for the establishment and maintenance of a record of monuments and for the public exhibition in each county of the record for that county. These monuments are afforded protection under that Act.