asked the Minister for Local Government if he has formulated plans for Irish participation in the 1975 European Architectural Heritage Year; and if the Government will adopt and promote the slogan "A future for our Past".
Ceistéanna—Questions Oral Answers - European Architectural Heritage.
24.
The Government have approved participation in European Architectural Heritage Year, 1975. Earlier this year, a number of organisations were invited to nominate representatives so that a national committee could be formed to promote and co-ordinate activities in connection with the year, including the use of the emblem specially chosen for the year and the slogan "A future for our Past". The committee have had informal meetings but will be formally inaugurated in the very near future.
Can the Minister give me any indication as to when exactly we may get some idea of what the Government proposals will be in this matter?
I do not think I could give the Deputy that, except to say that the committee have had informal meetings, as I indicated in my reply, and will themselves be formally inaugurated in the near future.
The Minister will agree that it is most important that our heritage is something that must be protected at all costs?
Yes. The European Architectural Heritage Year, 1975, has its charter from a decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to designate a year similar to European Conservation Year, 1970, for the preservation and rehabilitation of the cultural heritage of monuments and sites. The objectives of the year are to awaken the interest of European peoples in their common architectural heritage, to protect and enhance buildings and areas of architectural or historic interest, to conserve the character of old towns and villages, and to assure for ancient buildings a living role in contemporary society. The inspiration for the year is not simply preservationist. The aim being advanced is rehabilitation for economic and social as well as for cultural reasons. That will be the matter considered by the committee which is to be inaugurated.
I thank the Minister for putting that on the record.