Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is even worse. Could consideration be given to the nomination of city of culture on an annual or biannual basis?

The investment in built heritage and the Living City initiative are really positive things. Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and Dublin have been prioritised. Is it intended that the living cities initiative will be extended? How does the Minister envisage that the leverage system that he mentioned with regard to work on buildings of heritage or architectural value will work? Does he plan to include other cities or large towns in the initiative?

I would like to mention in passing the real tragedy that is befalling this country's heritage. The loss of our thatched houses, which I have raised with the Minister previously, is certainly a reality in Leinster. When one drives around the countryside, one notices that the last ten years were particularly devastating for this country's stock of thatched properties. Sort sort of radical initiative will have to be taken if we are to sustain the small number of remaining thatched properties. The relevant local authority, as the planning authority, might have to get involved directly.

We are all conscious of the controversy surrounding the peatlands work that has been done. Obviously, the Department has relocated turf cutters and tried to meet their needs. Can the Minister give us details of the precise cost that has been incurred in all of that to date?

The Minister referred to the possibility of adding Irish sites to the lost of world heritage sites. I think Clonmacnoise has been mentioned in this context.