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National Heritage Plan

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2019

Thursday, 21 February 2019

Ceisteanna (17, 26)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

17. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the Heritage 2030 public consultations; the opportunities including local meetings for groups and residents of County Offaly to contribute to the consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8518/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

26. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the Heritage 2030 public consultations; the opportunities including local meetings for groups and residents in counties Sligo and Leitrim to contribute to the consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8510/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 26 together.

The public consultation process for Heritage Ireland 2030 is fully underway now, with consultation events being held right across the State. This is a critical phase in the development of Heritage Ireland 2030, the new National Heritage Plan for Ireland and we need to hear the views of all those we know care deeply about their heritage.

It was my intention that the 4 month consultation period would close at the end of February. Given the huge level of interest across the country I have decided to extend the consultation period by one month to allow more time for everyone to have their say.

To date 74 separate events have been arranged around the country as part of the consultation process and more are being organised all the time. Details of all of these public events are available on my Department's website.

The range of events includes public information sessions, roundtable workshops, regional sessions, heritage forums and other events being organised by local tourism and heritage organisations. Forty-five of the events arranged to date are open to the public.  The Local Authority Heritage Officer network and the Heritage Council are playing a tremendous role, making use of their local and regional networks and expertise in public engagement to support our consultation.

Our heritage is a priceless and irreplaceable national asset which belongs to all of us. We want everyone to be able to enjoy this heritage, to have a sense of pride in it, and to keep it safe for the future. The voices we are hearing in the conversations taking place as part of this public consultation illustrate the passion people have for other heritage, their monuments, their national parks, their landscapes, their nature and biodiversity.

To find out about Heritage Ireland 2030 public events in their own county, people should contact the Heritage Officer in their local authority. A list of Heritage Officers is available on the Heritage Council website www.heritagecouncil.ie.

I am aware that a small number of local authorities do not have a Heritage Officer. My Department will work with these local authorities and the Heritage Council to ensure that these counties are catered for and have a public event for people to attend. People may also contact my Department directly or make a submission through any of the channels I have already mentioned.

Our vision for heritage is a simple one - that heritage is valued and protected. Heritage Ireland 2030 is built around that vision: that the way in which we identify and protect our heritage is the best it can be. I would encourage everyone to avail of this unique opportunity to rethink how we care for our habitats, landscapes, wildlife, historic buildings and monuments, so they can be celebrated and enjoyed long into the future.

The shadow of Ben Bulben, coasts of Sligo, the hills and vales of Leitrim and the wild peatlands and monastic lineage of Offaly show the diversity of what we are all charged with protecting for future generations. These counties at the centre and the beautiful edge of this island provide many exemplars of our built and natural heritage, driving a sense of place in the smallest villages and the urban centres. Their contribution to this strategy is essential. I am pleased that 2 events have been held in Sligo on 5 and 7 February to allow the people from that area to have their say. The Heritage Council has also arranged a regional event for Connacht in Claregalway on 19 February, and two events have been arranged in Offaly, on 23 January 18 February.

These public events are just one of four ways in which people can participate in the consultation. They are also invited to:

- go to the Heritage Ireland 2030 section on my Department’s website and complete the on-line survey.

- send a written submission by post to Heritage Ireland 2030, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Custom House, Dublin 1.  

- or email a submission to HeritageIreland2030@chg.gov.ie

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