Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Architectural Heritage.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

375 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the comments made by the chief executive of the Heritage Council regarding the issue he describes as neglect of our monuments and the fact that most of them are overgrown and the danger our architectural heritage now faces; if she will consider establishing a properly qualified action group to look into the way in which this has occurred; and if she will examine the current structures and systems within Dúchas to establish whether they are modern, flexible and energetic enough to meet the demands which are being placed on them. [13925/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The Heritage Council's report on decay of stone monuments published last week is being examined in my Department. My Department is conversant with the issues involved and, in particular, would be largely familiar with the problems besetting the monuments and properties indicated in the report and has been to the fore in good stone conservation practice. The rate of decay relates in part to the type of stone used in construction, for example, soft sandstone monuments are affected more than limestone monuments. This was particularly true in the case of the finer carved detailing on many of the sites assessed in the report. The time span must also be put into context, as the issue of decay of stone has been ongoing for hundreds of years.

The comments of the Heritage Council must also be seen in the context of my announcement last November of a major £100 million investment in the built heritage under the national development plan which includes an unprecedented level of commitment to the conservation of national monuments in the care of the State, which should perhaps have been acknowledged in the council's comments. I also wish to point out to the Deputy that the quality of the conservation work which has been undertaken by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, in stone conservation is widely recognised. Work practices and structures in Dúchas are under review to ensure they can meet the increased demands on the service and restructuring proposals are under discussion with staff and unions.