Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Tony Gregory

Question:

137 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the findings of the survey carried out by her Department on St. Alphonsus monastery following the recent fire; and if it is the view of her Department that the monastery can be restored. [16390/01]

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

Under the provisions of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1999, each planning authority must, for the purpose 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. I am advised that the St. Alphonsus monastery is included in Dublin Corporation's record of protected structures.

The protection afforded under the planning Acts covers both the interior and exterior of the monastery and in the absence of a declaration from Dublin Corporation, outlining any works which are exempted development, any future building works will require planning permission. Planning applications received by local authorities relating to any protected structure must be forwarded to my Department for observations. I believe that the strength of these provisions will be sufficient to safeguard the architectural integrity of the monastery.

As the Deputy has noted, the monastery was extensively damaged due to a fire on the night of 19-20 May. An official of my Department visited the location during the outbreak of the fire on 20 May and observed that the chapel and the adjoining hall appear to be the only parts of the building complex to escape the fire, although there may be smoke damage. The question of assessing any proposed restoration is a matter for Dublin Corporation. The cause of the fire is unknown and is the subject of a Garda investigation.