Vol. 560 No. 3
382 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will take an initiative to achieve the preservation of the building in Dingle dating back to 1750 and formerly used as a presbytery but now in the ownership of Udáras na Gaeltachta, in view of its historic connections and cultural and tourist potential. [2296/03]
The building in question is not among the structures recommended by my Department to Kerry County Council for inclusion in its record of protected structures. These recommendations were based on an interim survey only of County Kerry. I under stand that Kerry County Council is considering a proposal to initiate the procedure to have the property referred to included in its record of protected structures. Views on this matters may appropriately be communicated to Kerry County Council in this context.
383 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his Department has submitted a tentative list of properties here which it considers to be of outstanding cultural or natural value, and which it intends to nominate for inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the next five to ten years, as provided for by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO; if so, the properties on that list; the date of its submission; if he intends to seek a place on the World Heritage Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2799/03]
As required by UNESCO a tentative list of properties for possible future inscription on the World Heritage List was submitted with Ireland's first successful nomination – the archaeological complex of the Boyne Valley – on 24 September, 1992.
The tentative list comprised nine properties, as follows: Skellig Michael, County Kerry; Killarney National Park, County Kerry; Northwest Mayo Boglands, County Mayo; Clonmacnoise, County Offaly; Western Stone Forts, Donegal-Kerry; Cashel, County Tipperary; Clara Bog, County Offaly; The Burren, County Clare; Céide Fields, County Mayo. The first property on this list – Skellig Michael – was subsequently inscribed on the World Heritage List.
I have no plans to seek a place on the World Heritage Committee.
