Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016
380. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will merge the natural heritage and the national parks and wildlife sections from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht into the new environment section. [11440/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra381. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to which Departments the nature functions of her Department have passed; if she has successfully split all of the functions of the former Department or if she has dispensed with any of its functions. [11581/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 380 and 381 together.
My Department in its reconfigured format will retain all of the functions of the previous Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, including functions in relation to both the built and natural heritage.
Accordingly, a continuing key priority for my Department will be the conservation and management of Ireland’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations, both in terms of its intrinsic value and as a support to economic renewal and sustainable employment.
I fully recognise the significant contribution that Ireland’s built and natural heritage make to national health, wellbeing, enjoyment and sustainable economic growth. I will continue to work to ensure that Ireland has a suite of heritage policies and legislation in place to meet modern requirements, in compliance with EU and international heritage obligations, and to achieve their effective implementation, within available resources.
