Vol. 520 No. 2
36 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps she will take to implement the recommendation made in the National Heritage Council policy paper on heritage awareness in Ireland that the benefits of heritage conservation and the threats that heritage faces in the future need to be communicated to the general public through a variety of media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15325/00]
58 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the steps she will take to implement the recommendation made in the National Heritage Council policy paper on heritage awareness in Ireland that greater emphasis needs to be placed on the importance of the natural as well as cultural landscapes as part of our heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15326/00]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 36 and 58 together.
I welcome the publication by the Heritage Council of its policy paper on heritage awareness, which conveys the results of research on this issue carried out early last year on behalf of the council. The researchers found that 86% of the respondents believed that it was important to protect our heritage, while 76% of those surveyed agreed that heritage protection was everybody's responsibility. These are highly encouraging figures to work from.
The research demonstrated a number of areas where greater awareness of aspects of our heritage may be achieved and this is an important goal for my Department, reflected in the commitment contained in its statement of strategy to promote and develop an increased public appreciation of the importance and value of the built and natural heritage. The national heritage plan, which will be published later this year, will address the question of raising heritage awareness.
The Heritage Council, which is an independent statutory body, is also charged with promoting interest, education, knowledge and pride in, and facilitating the appreciation and enjoyment of heritage. I have no doubt that its future activities in respect of this function will seek to build on the recommendations contained in its paper on heritage awareness.
