Vol. 443 No. 2
34 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the procedures, if any, he has established to enable the views of local people to be taken into account in the decision-making process on interpretative centres.
I have previously indicated to this House that my main objective is to ensure that real and widespread consultation will take place with all interested parties before any decision is made on the siting of interpretative centres.
Under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1993, planning permission will be required for any such centres in future and this will ensure that there is public participation in the decision-making process.
Any proposal to establish such a centre will be considered on its merits and its optimum location would only be determined following consideration of all relevant factors, including the views expressed by local people.
