Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and his comments regarding the implementation and enforcement of the special amenity area order. As I have outlined, the key problem has been a lack of enforcement of that order on the part of Fingal County Council. There has been a dereliction of duty on the part of the council, particularly in recent years, in respect of these illegal fixtures on the East Mountain. I accept that this is an issue for the council to address but, from a national point of view, will the Minister of State indicate what level of consultation and invigilation takes place on the part of his Department, working with local authorities, to ensure heritage sites and areas of natural and ecological importance are adequately protected? My constituents simply want the will of the people, as expressed in the SAAO and through the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and this House, to be enforced.

I am interested to know the level of monitoring by the Minister of State's Department and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of all heritage designations and conservation designations, including SAAOs. Do local authorities report regularly to either or both Departments on potential infringements and the actions they have taken to deal with them through the Garda, courts or whatever is necessary? People in Howth want the illegal gate, fencing and stone surfaces on the East Mountain to be removed and the changes to the fauna and landscape to be addressed forthwith. Many thousands of my constituents are desperately upset at the illegal attempt to destroy the historic right of way at Heather Cottage.

As I said, Fingal County Council has a new manager, Mr. Paul Reid, whom I understand has come from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I urge him to address this serious attack on the integrity of the SAAO immediately. I ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, to hold Mr. Reid and his council to account on this matter. I understand the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Dinny McGinley, have been drawing up a list of locations such as the Burren and other beautiful areas around the country, from Donegal to Kerry and the midlands, which might be designated as UNESCO world heritage sites. I am of the view that Howth should be added to that list.

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