Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 5

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

306 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her recent recommendation to Sligo Corporation to include all structures rated as regional, national or international in the national inventory of architectural heritage survey Sligo architectural heritage study, 2000, in the record of protected structures in the Borough of Sligo, will be considered by Sligo Borough Council at its meeting of 28 May 2001; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the Sligo borough engineer has recommended to councillors that two of the said structures, Nos. 4 and 5 Lord Edward Street, Sligo, not be included in the record of protected structures as the corporation intends to demolish them for development purposes; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that other owners or occupiers of buildings which she has recommended be included in the record of protected structures will also seek not to have their buildings included as they may wish to demolish or significantly change the building for development purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14669/01]

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

The protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities. My role is to provide advice to planning authorities in the exercise of their functions. This is reinforced in the recently enacted Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999. Under the provisions of the act, each planning authority shall, for the pur pose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, include in its development plan a record of protected structures within its functional area. This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them, but also to safeguard their future. This is the proper framework for the protection of our architectural heritage.

Under section 4 of the Act, I may recommend to a planning authority that specific structures be included in its record of protected structures. A planning authority must have regard, under the Act, to any recommendation made by me. However, a decision may be made not to comply with a recommendation, provided that an explanation is made outlining the reasons why inclusion in the record of protected structures is considered inappropriate. I can confirm that last February I recommended to Sligo Corporation that a total of 284 structures be placed on its record of protected structures.

I should add that it is open to anybody, including the owners or occupiers of such buildings, to make written objections or observations to the planning authority with respect to any proposed addition to or deletion from the record of protected structures. Under the legislation, responsibility for the making of an addition to, or a deletion from, a record of protected structures rests with the elected representatives. In this regard, I await the considered response of Sligo Corporation to my recommendations.