Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

Enda Kenny

Question:

229 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will examine the feasibility of having Dúchas take over a property (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6662/00]

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

Tober Mhuire and the Pilgrim Rest House are not in State ownership. They are similar to many sites throughout the countryside, which are normally maintained locally either the community or the local authority.

It is not feasible for my Department to assume responsibility for these monuments, as the resources available are fully committed at present. However, both are recorded monuments and as such have the protection of the national monuments legislation, 1930-1994.

Enda Kenny

Question:

230 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of actions taken by Dúchas under the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1994; the number which were successful; the number which were unsuccessful; the number of actions taken under section 4 of the 1994 Act in relation to the register of recorded monuments; the number which were successful and unsuccessful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6693/00]

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

The Deputy will be aware that the first National Monuments Act came into effect in 1930 and the legislation has been amended on a number of occasions since, most recently in 1994. It is not possible in the time available to extract the relevant statistical information relating to the number of actions which have been taken since the general legislation was first enacted.

It is section 12 of the National Monument (Amendment) Act, 1994, that provides for the establishment of the record of monuments and places and provides for their protection.

Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, is currently processing eight cases of alleged contravention of the National Monuments Acts, as amended. These eight cases, some of which are at a very early stages of consideration for prosecution, have yet to be brought to a conclusion.

The figures do not include cases which may have been referred by the gardaí to the Director of Public Prosecutions following separate investigations. My officials enforce the National Monuments Acts through other means. This involves education and awareness creation, mitigation through the planning process, early intervention by my officials where damage to a recorded monument is reported, or entering into agreements with landowners. Other statutory protection measures involving preservation orders and registrations are also utilised where a recorded monument is believed to be at immediate risk.