Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
205. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide information on the applications received for inclusion on Ireland's World Heritage Tentative List 2020-2030 including each site applied for and the local authority or other entity from which the respective application was received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37038/21]
View answerIn line with UNESCO advice that World Heritage Tentative Lists be reviewed at least every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications in January 2019 to update Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage Properties. The closing date for receipt of applications was 30 June 2021. My Department received seven applications by the deadline:
1. The Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands, County Clare;
2. Iniscealtra (Inis Cealtra/Inishcaltra/Holy Island), County Clare;
3. The Chq Building and George’s Dock (Formally Custom House Docks), Dublin City;
4. Trans-Atlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County Kerry-Heart's Content, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
5. Royal Sites of Ireland, Counties Kildare, Westmeath, Tipperary, Roscommon and Meath (it should be noted that the Royal sites of Ireland also envisages the inclusion of Navan Fort (Eamhain Macha), County Armagh as part of a transnational nomination of the Royal Sites of Ireland);
6. The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo; and
7. Glendalough Valley, County Wicklow.
An initial screening of the applications received has determined that the Chq Building and George’s Dock application does not meet the basic requirements to progress to assessment by the independent Expert Advisory Group (EAG) established by me to evaluate the Tentative List applications.
The EAG is comprised of four experts in the heritage sector; Dr Carol Westrik, Chairperson and World Heritage Expert; Dr Alison Sheridan, International Archaeological Expert; Prof Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, Irish Archaeological Expert; and Ms Jane Jackson, Industrial Architectural Expert.
Over the coming weeks, the EAG will evaluate the remaining six applications based on the ability of each of those applications to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and/or authenticity, long-term protection and management frameworks, and evidence of local stakeholder support. It is intended that the EAG will complete its evaluation and make recommendations as to which properties should be considered for inclusion on a new Tentative List by early September.
Any EAG recommendations will then be appraised by the National Monuments Service of my Department in terms of their readiness and suitability to form a new Tentative List for Ireland. Subject to my approval, it is envisaged that this new Tentative List, which will replace the existing Tentative List, will be submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre early in 2022.
The Deputy should note that in order for a property to proceed to nomination for full World Heritage status, it must first be on the Tentative List for at least one year. Eventual nomination to full World Heritage Status, which will be led by my Department in partnership with relevant Local Authorities and stakeholders, will include the preparation of detailed nomination documentation and conservation and management plans. This stage of the process, including further public consultation, is expected to take a number of years to finalise, and local support and engagement will be critical to any subsequent and successful nomination.
It is envisaged that the Tentative List process will be reopened for review within the next five years to allow my Department further assess other sites that may be proposed that may demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value. This may include properties on the current Tentative List for which applications were not submitted under the current application process.
