Mr. Ian Lumley:

Like the Senator, I am pleased to say I am from Waterford city. As he rightly said, Waterford city has set a national example in the care of its heritage, the management of archaeology, The Viking Triangle and in the development of the city as a major cultural centre. An impressive number of beautiful museums have been developed in Waterford, which tell the story from prehistoric material to the Vikings, the Anglo-Normans and, moving into the 18th century, the specialist collections of silver and clocks. It is a model that other European cities far larger than Waterford could not remotely match.

In our detailed submission, we have highlighted the challenges that arise for a landowner with a ruinous masonry structure, such as the remnant of a medieval castle, where mortar is exposed to wind and weathering and the building of the ruin may often be just part of the original structure, the survival of which in many cases represents quite a challenge for the landowner or property owner. Support needs to be given in those circumstances.

The wider issues raised by Senator Cummins relate more to the buildings that would be deemed to be protected structures under the Planning and Development Act 2000.