John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My next question relates to the Finance Bill and the definition of the living city initiative in respect of Limerick and Waterford. I previously raised the issue of the definition of a Georgian house during the debate on the Bill in the Dáil. The definition in this regard as per the Bill is "a building constructed in the period 1714-1830 for use as a dwelling and comprising at least two storeys, with or without basement". I refer, for example, to Waterford Civic Trust. My inclination which was backed up was that the footprint of Georgian buildings in the centre of Waterford would not come within this definition. Many of them were built in the period 1830 to mid-1840 in a style of Georgian architecture. The difficulty is that if the definition is adhered to tightly, there will be no impact on Georgian Waterford. I was sent a copy of the submission made by the Irish Georgian Society on the issue which supports my argument. It refers to Limerick, in particular, where there is a large proportion of Georgian houses dating back to the 1840s and 1850s. The definition will need to be looked at again if the provision is to have a real impact.

I have spoken to people who are knowledgeable in this regard. Their view is that the cut-off date should not be 1830 as Georgian style houses were built well into the 1840s. When I first raised this issue, it generated some mirth and I was given a lecture on history. However, it is an important point if the living city initiative is to have any impact. It is a good idea and badly needed in the residential and retail sector of the city. However, further thought needs to be given to the definition and the impact it may or may not have as a result.