Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012
51Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered establishing an inter-agency and interdepartmental group which would be tasked with drafting a comprehensive plan to protect and promote our national heritage sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5248/12]
View answerI return to a foreign language. My Department has a broad range of responsibilities in respect of the protection of the national heritage, built and natural. It directly manages six national parks and 78 nature reserves; it owns several national monuments, which are in the care and management of the Office of Public Works; and it has responsibility for policy regarding world heritage sites, of which there currently are two - Brú na Bóinne and Skellig Michael.
More generally, my Department is also responsible for policy and legislation in respect of archaeological and architectural heritage matters. It works on a cross-departmental and inter-agency basis on many aspects of its business. In particular, my Department works closely with the Office of Public Works in respect of issues such as investment in the conservation and presentation of historic properties and national monuments in State care, the management of world heritage sites and a range archaeological issues.
Other key cross-cutting initiatives include the work of an expert group, established by my Department in May 2008, to undertake a comprehensive review of archaeological policy and practice and an expert advisory committee, set up in 2011 and representing key stakeholders, to review the operation of Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011 in respect of protection and management of architectural heritage.
The heritage area is increasingly identified as crucial in developing the tourism sector and my Department is committed to promoting Ireland's rich heritage and in presenting Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment. In this regard, my Department is directly involved in developing heritage initiatives with Fáilte Ireland, the Heritage Council and other organisations to contribute to the quality of the national heritage tourism product.
The issue of establishing further inter-agency groups over and above the initiatives I have outlined should be justified on the basis of need and in light of the priorities facing my Department at a time of reduced resources.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I was taken somewhat unawares with this question but nonetheless it is an area in which I have a particular interest. Is the promotion of heritage tourism in the country generally carried out as part of the overall activity and work of Fáilte Ireland and other agencies and within their yearly spend and investment? Does the Minister not believe the time has arrived when we should extrapolate heritage as a tourism interest area from the main, overall promotion and try to sell it more aggressively in tourist markets? I heartily concur with the remarks made by the Minister to the effect that heritage is a vital area and an important magnet for drawing overseas tourism to Ireland. It seems there is a need to focus on this area and to set targets and objectives to increase the numbers of heritage-interest tourists coming to Ireland.
I wish to put a supplementary question with regard to heritage sites generally, including the protection of architecture with which we are familiar. The development of lesser-known sites may involve or require a capital spend by local community groups, local authorities or the Department. Does the Minister envisage pursuing this aspect of the matter? To give an example, I have in mind the Williamite War in the years prior to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. Several skirmishes occurred throughout County Louth. The Battle of the Boyne has an central, important role to play in the evolution and development of Irish history. Does the Minister not believe that such projects require a capital spend in order that people coming to Ireland who wish to further their knowledge and appreciation of the issues involved can visit sites that are clearly marked and where they can read tablets with suitable inscriptions on-site and at various points along the way?
Deputy Troy, do you wish to put a supplementary question?
No. Deputy Kirk has covered it.
I welcome the Deputy's intervention. Other countries possibly put a good deal more emphasis on world heritage sites than we do. If one goes to Greece or Rome one sees a major emphasis being put on something designated a world heritage site. There are two in this country, one near Deputy Kirk at Brú na Bóinne and the other at Skellig Michael in my home county. We are considering the development of further United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, sites and it is important that we do so.
On a broader scale, the promotional literature used by Tourism Ireland throughout the world places a major emphasis on our iconic sites such as the Cliffs of Moher and Georgian Dublin. Tourism Ireland is using our unique heritage, which is probably our unique selling point, as a major promotional tool to attract tourists to the country. I agree with Deputy Kirk that there is scope to do more and to look beyond our iconic sites. We should consider the position of sites throughout the country which may not be designated as national monuments or world heritage sites. When one considers the success of other countries in this regard we have a great deal of untapped potential to further promote Ireland throughout the world as a country to visit from a heritage point of view.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.
