Enda Kenny
Question:3 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position regarding the provision of a national heritage plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23863/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - National Heritage Plan.
As Minister with primary responsibility for heritage I have initiated the preparation of a national heritage plan that will set out strategies for the protection, conservation, management and presentation of the natural heritage; the architectural and archaeological heritage; both moveable and immovable; the inland waterways of the State and documentary and archival heritage.
My Department has undertaken a broad public consultation process in regard to the development of the plan and 350 submissions were assessed and taken into account, as appropriate. A parallel preparatory process, which has also been under way within my Department, has included an overview of current management of the heritage with critical assessment and proposals for action. This ongoing work is being overseen by a steering group comprised of senior officials of my Department and representatives of the Heritage Council.
It is intended that these processes will be completed in the coming months and that interdepartmental consultation will then be undertaken. It is anticipated that the plan will be published next year, following consideration by Government.
Repercussions may occur as a result of this plan. The Minister, in documents published by her Department, such as "The Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage", "Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation" and its statement of strategy, referred specifically to her responsibility to provide appropriate policy, legislative, administrative and financial frameworks of all areas of heritage. From the archaeological perspective of the heritage plan, it will be impossible for a variety of reasons. There are 30 archaeologists employed by Dúchas, 11 permanent and 19 on temporary contracts which were deemed illegal by a court case. Given the 5,000 planning referrals people are being drawn from the protection of heritage into the planning area with the result that the efficiency and the professionalism of the service is being seriously diminished. Has the Minister prepared a plan, a projection and the cost because the matter will get worse? The heritage, movable and immovable, for which the Minister has political responsibility will be decimated given the projections in the national plan.
I have been asked why am I initiating a national heritage plan and why do I think there is a need for such a plan. It is precisely because of the innovations and initiatives of recent years that we need to look not only at the legislation in this area but to put in place structures that will be effective following the new interest not only by the public but other agencies. It augurs well that we have had more than 350 submissions from the public and interested groups. The information in those submissions is being correlated. My Department is also looking at the whole question of structures, hence the reason for the steering group comprised of the senior officials of my Department. I have also asked the representative from the Heritage Council to come on board because its work, which is separate from the Department, has been very effective. It is important to draw all this information together and to have a strategic plan for the future rather than a piecemeal approach to our heritage.
Archaeology, while important, is one element of our heritage. In this heritage plan we are dealing with the natural heritage, archaeological heritage, architectural heritage, natural and cultural landscapes, inland waterways and the documentary on archival heritage. It is not only one section of our heritage that we have to look at. We have to outline the further needs to ensure the national heritage plan is a strategic way forward. That was something I proposed in Opposition. It is part of the programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium and we are carrying it through. It is not something that will be delivered from the top down. I spoke about this in Opposition and it is very much part of Government policy. We will be talking about local heritage plans, those of the local authorities and the Department of the Environment and Local Government all of which play a major part in the recognition, preservation and conservation of our heritage. In recent years there is a recognition that something needs to be done. I am pleased the Government is taking action and will put those structures in place.
That is a long answer but it does not deal with the issues I raised. I invite the Minister to go through her Department and to meet the professional archaeologists. Has she put together a plan to sort the 5,000 referrals in 1999? Many of these are being moved from desks with "refused" written on them without the ability to check because of a lack of staff. Will the Minister deal with the issue of illegal employees in her Department arising from a court case? There are 19 archaeologists on temporary contracts in the archaeological section of Dúchas. This problem should be sorted out. Will the Minister discuss this matter with the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, and overrule the mandarins in the Department of Finance who want those on temporary contracts to go into the private sector? If not, her political remit as the preserver of the Irish heritage will be destroyed.
I am calling Question No. 4. We have exceeded the time limit on Question No. 3. We must proceed to Question No. 4.
With your indulgence, a Cheann Comhairle, I will respond quickly to the questions put by the Deputy.
Very briefly.
We have to see what is the position with regard to the whole heritage and that can only be done in a strategic plan. We are collating all the information and the plan will be put to Government. It will not be based only on the views of Deputies opposite or my views but on the views of those directly involved in the preservation of our heritage. That is what the project is about. We have already got in touch with the Department of Finance with regard to the staffing issue. It is not something that has been initiated today. That matter is currently in hand.