Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 5

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

51 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the recent destruction of a building (details supplied) of architectural importance; the reason her Department failed to have the building saved; and if she will have arrangements made to have legal protection given to such buildings where deemed appropriate. [19158/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

I am sorry to see the demolition of the building in question. The building was of architectural significance and I appealed to the developer not to proceed with the works. My role in relation to the protection of the architectural heritage is, primarily, an advisory one. In this instance the developer had, however, validly received planning permission for the works and, unfortunately, chose to exercise this option.

The Deputy will appreciate that the system of protection for such buildings to date has been unsatisfactory and there have been other examples of the erosion of the architectural heritage of the country. Since coming to office the Government has made substantial progress in redressing the situation. Two pieces of legislation were enacted. One places the national inventory of architectural heritage on a statutory footing. The other, a revision to the Planning Act, introduces more stringent protection to structures of architectural significance. The latter Act comes into effect on 1 January 2000 and it will lead to a much improved situation.

In addition, the Government has committed resources to my Department to recruit conservation architects and other staff to assist planning authorities in their work and I will be publishing national conservation guidelines for planning authorities in the new year. Further resources are being made available to planning authorities to enable them to recruit conservation officers and to grant aid conservation works.

These initiatives mark a new beginning in strengthening the protection of the architectural heritage so that instances such as the one referred to by the Deputy are less likely to happen in the future. I would stress, however, that my role will be mainly advisory and that protection in the future will still remain within the planning system.