Written Answers. - Architectural Policy.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
82
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
the progress, if any that has been made towards developing an architectural policy; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9984/95]
Policy on architecture must take account of both our architectural heritage and modern architecture and I have taken initiatives in a number of areas in the development of policy for these two aspects of architecture.
In relation to architectural heritage, the Deputy will be pleased to know that I and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, have established an inter-departmental working group made up of officials of my Department, the Department of the Environment and the Office of Public Works to examine, and report back with recommendations on improving the protection for listed buildings, including placing the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis and introducing incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such buildings, and undertaking a full national architectural audit. I can assure the Deputy that, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, I will give careful consideration to this report, which I expect to have by the end of this year, and to the introduction of any necessary new policy initiatives in this area.
The Heritage Act, 1995, which was recently enacted, provides for the establishment of a statutory corporation, to be known as An Chomhairle Oidhreachta, or the Heritage Council, which will replace the existing non-statutory National Heritage Council established in 1988. The council will be required to establish a standing committee on the architectural heritage which may include persons who are not members of the council. This committee will be a source of advice on architectural heritage policy.
The broad functions of the Heritage Council will be to propose policies and priorities in relation to the identification, protection, preservation and enhancement of the physical heritage, which will include the architectural heritage. The specific functions of the council will include co-operation with, and the provision of assistance (including financial assistance) and advice to persons and bodies. A new and important function of the council will be a special responsibility in relation to heritage buildings in public ownership. Under section 10 of the Act, a public authority (viz. the State, a State agency or a local authority) must notify the council in writing of any proposal to demolish, alter significantly or dispose of a building owned by it, which has been designated as a heritage building by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht under this section on the advice of the council, or any land or other building adjoining such a building, and may not proceed with the proposal contrary to the advice of the council unless the Minister agrees to the proposal or to a modified form of the proposal, or the Government agrees to the proposal.
The Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe was signed by Ireland in Granada, Spain, on 3 October 1985. My department is actively pursuing ratification of the convention by this country in consultation with the other Departments involved.
Architecture is included in the Arts Plan, 1995-97, which was published earlier this year by An Chomhairle Ealaíon and discussed in this House, and which I have now submitted to Government for consideration. Architecture is included under the broad category of the Visual Arts and, while there may only be a few specific references to the discipline, its needs must be considered under the wider issues of creating awareness and appreciation of the visual arts in general, for which there are definite proposals. One of the greatest problems facing architecture at the moment is the lack of understanding of its importance as an integral part of our culture. Both my Department and An Chomhairle Ealaíon have formally supported the establishment of a working group, coordinated by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, to prepare a proposal for a National Policy on Architecture, a draft of which will be submitted in the autumn. The results of this exercise may be incorporated into relevant sections of the Arts Plan where appropriate and will also be of assistance to my Department in the on-going formulation of general architectural policy.
