Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
748. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the roadmap towards possible UNESCO World Heritage Site status for the transatlantic cable project following its inclusion in Ireland’s tentative list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41294/22]
View answerI was pleased, along with Minister O’Brien, to announce the new Tentative List for Ireland last week which includes the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble: Valentia, County Kerry and Heart’s Content, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The steps towards UNESCO World Heritage status are set out in the World Heritage operational guidelines. The nomination process takes a number of years and is dependent on various factors so it is not possible at this early stage to set out an exact roadmap on how the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble nomination will proceed. Each site on the new Tentative List is unique and will progress through the nomination process at a different pace. As the Transatlantic Cable Ensemble is both a serial and transnational site, it will be progressed jointly by Ireland and Canada at both national/federal level and local/provincial level.
It is anticipated that a Memorandum of Understanding will be agreed over the coming months between my Department and the Local Authorities including Kerry County Council that will set out the initial next steps and responsibilities in the nomination process.
My Department is looking forward to working with all local authorities as they progress through the nomination process in the years ahead.
