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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jan 1972

Vol. 258 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Preservation Orders.

61.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what legislation is invoked in the making of orders for the preservation of national monuments and other buildings of historical interest; and what standard is used for measuring the historical significance of any building.

National monuments may be preserved under the National Monuments Acts, 1930 and 1954, or the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963. Other buildings of historical interest may also be preserved under the latter Act. When preserving a national monument under the National Monuments Acts, the Commissioners of Public Works consider each case with due regard to its national importance by reason of the historical, architectural, traditional, artistic, or archaeological interest attaching thereto. The assessment of any of those interests would, of course, be a matter of opinion, but in cases of doubt the Commissioners may seek the advice of the National Monuments Advisory Council appointed under the Acts.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary say earlier on that there was a question of looking upon Frascati House but that it was rather low in the matter of priorities?

In relation to the National Monuments Acts, yes, but I imagine it is a matter that can be dealt with under the Local Authority (Planning and Development) Act. There are a lot more important monuments on the index at the moment and if we were to involve ourselves in Frascati House it would be opening a flood gate which could involve the State in many millions of pounds expenditure.

I appreciate that but I should like to say arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, in circumstances where they would regard it even as low priority would it be possible that they would make their representations to the Department of Local Government on the matter?

No, I do not think that would be my responsibility.

Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, which has repeatedly been that so many other national monuments remain unprotected that it would not be proper to do anything about this particular place, would the Parliamentary Secretary state whether he has any plans for the adequate protection of national monuments or is he leaving this entirely to the initiative of private bodies inadequately financed and inadequately staffed?

No. If the Deputy had been present when I was speaking to my Estimate before Christmas he would know that we are doing a survey of all national monuments in the country and we hope to index them. This will take many years. Three counties have been completed and three are in the process of being surveyed at the moment.

In the meantime the monuments are unprotected?

The indications are that there are in excess of 2½ million monuments which could be catered for under the Acts and these cannot be adequately protected obviously unless we get the co-operation of the local authorities.

Is it not the case that the survey to which the Parliamentary Secretary refers is concerned solely with monuments which were erected prior to 1100 and that, therefore, cases such as Frascati House are not even considered in relation to this survey?

That is right. I did not intend to mislead the House. But, prior to the 12th century, we still have 2½ million to worry about.

Since then it is foreign culture and you can knock them down.

It has nothing to do with me. It is for the local planning authority.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say roughly what proportion of cases are referred to the National Monuments Advisory Council and how often that body meets in order to consider them?

Acting Chairman

That is definitely a separate question.

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