Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the high cross monastic site at Monasterboice, County Louth in respect of the tentative list to be submitted to UNESCO for consideration for world heritage site status in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35439/21]
View answer107. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on reports that indicate that Monasterboice may be removed from the tentative list for UNESCO world heritage sites (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35316/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 107 together.
I refer the Deputy back to the Topical Issue, To discuss the exclusion of Early Monastic Sites from Ireland’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, debated in the Dáil on the 26 May 2021 which outlined the processes, supports, and engagements that have been part of the advancement of the revised Tentative List of World Heritage Properties to date.
In January 2019, my Department initiated its review of the Tentative List and invited all local authorities to submit applications to it with respect to properties of natural and/or cultural heritage within their area of responsibility, which may meet the requirements for inclusion on the Tentative List. The deadline for applications is 30th June 2021.
My Department's policy is for applications to be promoted and sponsored by the relevant local authorities in order to ensure continuity throughout the process. Other organisations, community groups or individuals interested in submitting an application have been encouraged to apply in collaboration with their respective local authority and support has been provided by my Department when appropriate to do so. The role of the local authorities to lead engagement with community organisations on the ground is crucial in order to facilitate public consultation and wider stakeholder involvement, particularly in light of the requirement under the UNESCO Operational Guidelines for participatory planning and stakeholder consultation.
My Department’s National Monuments Service has been liaising very closely with those local authorities that have expressed interest in having a property within their county boundaries included on the revised Tentative List, providing advice and guidance on an ongoing basis, commissioning studies/reviews, and encouraging engagement with relevant stakeholders at a local level. This engagement has also included facilitating two World Heritage Workshops in collaboration with ICOMOS Ireland, one held in Killarney in February 2020 and a follow-up workshop online in June 2020.
These workshops focussed on next steps in the review process, World Heritage knowledge sharing, management of serial and transboundary applications, and the requirements of completing the Tentative List application form. At these workshops, the challenges in the preparation of nomination documentation and management plans for prospective World Heritage properties was detailed, and the need for wide public consultation and local stakeholder engagement was reinforced.
Following attendance at the workshops, interested parties were requested to submit draft Tentative List applications for review and feedback to ensure that the next Tentative List features properties that are well-placed to progress to World Heritage nomination. Throughout November and December 2020, my Department facilitated feedback in relation to the draft applications through individual online meetings with a World Heritage Expert.
My Department is not anticipating a revised application for Monasterboice as a component of a serial national application in respect of Early Medieval Monastic Sites or a revised standalone application because despite considerable encouragement, there was no engagement with my Department by Louth County Council in respect of Monasterboice.
