Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 29 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 4

Written Answers. - Georgian Buildings.

Eoin Ryan

Ceist:

64 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the plans, if any, the Office of Public Works has to publish an inventory of Georgian buildings in State ownership or occupation: the further plans, if any, it has to carry out a review as to whether its current use in this ownership and occupation is the best, in view of the long-term preservation of the building and the possibility of public access to and enjoyment of these buildings. [4725/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The National Monuments and Historic Properties Service is currently engaged in carrying out a national inventory of architecture which, of course, includes Georgian buildings. As the inventory for each area is completed, a copy is forwarded to the planning authorities and data is also made available for consultation through the National Monuments and Historic Properties Service.

As the Deputy will be aware, and as I have on several occasions indicated in this House, I and my colleague, Deputy Howlin, Minister for the Environment, established, in February 1995, pursuant to commitments in the Policy Agreement for Government entitled A Government of Renewal, an interdepartmental working group made up of officials of our Departments and of the Office of Public Works. The working group is to examine and report back with recommendations on improving the protection for listed buildings (which would, of course, include Georgian buildings), including placing the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis, introducing incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of such buildings and undertaking a full national architectural audit.

The Deputy should also note that specific protection is afforded to heritage buildings in the ownership of public authorities (which would include Georgian buildings), under section 10 of the Heritage Act, 1995. This section provides that a public authority may not proceed with a 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 that section on the advice of the Heritage Council, or any land or other building adjoining such a building, 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. Section 10 also provides that the Heritage Council may consult with or advise public authorities in relation to the maintenance, preservation, restoration, upkeep and improvement of any designated heritage buildings owned by such authorities.

In relation to the question of public access, there are two categories of Georgian buildings held by the State:

(a) those buildings which form part of the heritage portfolio, e.g., Casino at Marino, Castletown House, Emo Court etc., to which access is provided for public enjoyment, and

(b) those buildings which form part of the State property portfolio and are in active use. The question of the future use of and public access to this category of State-owned Georgian buildings is a matter for the Minister for Finance.