Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Heritage Council.

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

707 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will reconsider the proposal to break up Dúchas, the national heritage service, and to examine the best professional economic advice regarding this break up. [11430/03]

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

729 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the State's responsibilities under the National Monuments Acts can be discharged efficiently under the new arrangements to split the built heritage functions of Dúchas between the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Office of Public Works and by eliminating the Dúchas brand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 729 together.

The organisational changes in the heritage arena announced last month were approved following the completion of a comprehensive review which has been under way since last summer. The review was set against the background of the announcement by the Taoiseach in June 2002 of details of the new Government and changes in the distribution of functions between Government Departments.

The organisational changes approved on foot of the review are designed to achieve the optimum use of the organisational resources available to the Government. They build on my Department's strengths in terms of experience of regulation and policy development, particularly in the environmental area, and the strong tradition of the Office of Public Works in the areas of conservation and property management. They also address the role that a re-focused heritage council can play as well as the importance of strengthening the heritage dimension at local level. In addition, the decision to include the word "heritage" in the title of my Department will reinforce the centrality of heritage issues within the Governmental system and highlight my Department's lead role in that regard.

I am satisfied that these new arrangements will enable the State to fully discharge its responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding and promotion of our heritage.