Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 2

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage Protection.

Liam Lawlor

Ceist:

88 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will urgently publish the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the legislative initiatives appropriate to the preservation and protection of the built environment, particularly in Dublin; and if he will commit himself to the earliest possible enactment of the legislation required to address the erosion of the architectural heritage of the capital and other urban centres of similar importance. [14760/96]

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

I share the Deputy's commitment to ensuring the best possible protection for the architectural heritage, including the architectural heritage of Dublin and other urban centres.

The Deputy will be aware that the report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Strengthening the Protection of the Architectural Heritage was submitted for consideration to myself and to my colleague, Deputy Brendan Howlin, Minister for the Environment, within the past fortnight, and the recommendations in the report are now being considered. When we have considered the recommendations in the report, and consulted where necessary with other Government Ministers, a programme for implementation of any necessary new policy initiatives, which may include amending legislation, will be prepared and published.

As I recently stated in the House during the debate on the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill, 1996, it is my intention, and that of the Minister for the Environment, to publish the report in order to inform the debate in the period prior to the Government introducing legislation.