Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Admhaím go bhfuil mé tar éis éisteacht le hóráid bhreá ón gComhaontas Glas ach ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an ceart ag an Teachta nuair a deireann sí go bhfuil an Bille seo ag loite na hoidhreachta breátha atá againn sa tír seo. Ní aontaím le bunphrionsabal a hóráid - go bhfuil nithe á scriosadh againn go mórmhór ó thaobh na hoidhreachta de. I welcome the passion and the commitment of the previous speaker and I compliment her on her idealism and on expressing the facts as she sees them. No doubt the Minister will reply to her points. There is on fundamental area, however, on which the Deputy is wrong. This Bill will not destroy our heritage. Specifically in the context of Part 4 of the Bill, it will actually improve and protect our heritage. Currently the Heritage Council must co-operate with public authorities, educational bodies and other organisations and persons in the promotion of the functions of the council. In section 11 of this Bill the Minister is changing this and strengthening it to provide that it will now be a function of the Heritage Council to "co-operate with, engage with, advise and support public authorities, local communities and persons in relation to the functions of the Council". The council will now have to engage with, advise and support public authorities, local communities and persons in respect of its functions.

As was said in an article in The Irish Times, I think that the Heritage Council has done a fantastic job in the 20 years for which it has been in existence. Clearly, I would like to see an increased budget. Obviously the Minister will respond to that call later on. Last year there was an increase in the budget of €1 million. I am not quite sure of the position today. I do know that the core priority of the council is the promotion of jobs, education and tourism related to heritage in local communities. That is its core business and I think it is strengthened. I reject the principle that the Heritage Council is weaker as a result of this Bill. It is not. In this context, specifically speaking about the issues which I raised, it is stronger. We should build on the work of the former Minister, the President, Michael D. Higgins. He was a very imaginative and dynamic Minister. I believe that as the economy improves more and more funding will become available for these wonderful, hugely important heritage projects up and down the country, which are so important in themselves and in the context of increasing employment and bringing tourism into our country.

One of things which I like in the Heritage Council's plan, which is for the period up to 2022 if I am correct, is its commitment to help out in the housing crisis wherever it can. It makes comment about the many heritage buildings in our country which are lying empty, dilapidated and vacant. If it has not already been done, it is time to make an inventory of heritage buildings which are empty or abandoned and which could, and should if at all possible, be used to meet our housing needs. If I may mention one such building, I was in Cork at the weekend and I was looking at the old psychiatric hospital. It is a wonderful red-brick building which overlooks the River Lee. It was damaged in a very serious fire recently. I was looking at it and I said to some people to whom I was talking that it would be lovely if it was repaired and put into habitable condition. We could have habitable dwellings in it. I do not know the internal structure of the building, but we could have apartments or family homes in it. There could be a huge community living in it. It is now a vast and dilapidated historic space which is unfortunately empty. If that were applied up and down the country, we could make significant improvements. I welcome the commitment from the Heritage Council that it is prepared to help from a heritage perspective. Obviously it would not have the money to do it alone, but it is prepared to help, assist and promote and to ensure that issues such as this are dealt with.

As we face into the European year of cultural heritage - of literature, arts and crafts - our Heritage Council can also continue to function and to improve the services which it provides so well. I praise it particularly for its wonderful website. Anybody can have a look at it. I particularly like its involvement with schools and students. I do not have the exact figure, but I believe it has interacted with something like 12,000 or 13,000 students. I can be corrected on that figure. Clearly, it is making sure that the promotion of heritage in the broadest possible sense, particularly among our young people, is something which is available and resourced. The council goes so far as to identify individual people around the country who are qualified and capable to carry out all sorts of heritage projects, including in the areas of science, history and geography. One sees pictures of people on nature walks, which shows the council improving people's awareness of our culture, flora and fauna. I am not an expert on flora and fauna at all, but I do know that, unless we work together as a Parliament and as a people, we will lose significant, unique and special plants and animals.

The history of industrialisation and western civilisation generally has been appalling in that respect. I acknowledge absolutely the threat to our environment, including flora and fauna, from climate change and the impact of industrialisation and urban growth or creep on the rural countryside. I welcome commitments to retain green zones around developing cities and towns, develop heritage parks and increase investment to support, acknowledge and protect our considerable biodiversity.

If the European legislation is not strong enough, it should be stronger. I am not competent to judge the charges that have been made tonight but have no doubt the Minister will reply to them. On balance, I would like to see conservation and protection become a priority. I have no doubt this is the Minister's intention. I acknowledge the arguments made. I trust the heritage people to give us the answers on protecting our rich and important heritage.

The role of the Heritage Council is small in the context of the OPW and other better funded organisations. This Bill arises from a review of the work of the council some years ago and it makes recommendations about it. The support of the council is very important if we are to retain traditional farm buildings and protect our urban and rural environments. While I acknowledge that some of the views aired are heartfelt, I believe they are missing the point, at least in this area.

We could go further. Many years ago, I stood up for their heritage of my town when a listed building was demolished in the middle of the night by a crowd of developers. They would have enjoyed doing so again only the law was changed. I found out who the friends of my heritage were, and they included the ordinary people of my town and members of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society. People from archaeological and cultural bodies all over the country supported our fight to have our heritage built up again. The Drogheda Grammar School has been rebuilt with handmade brick and it is just like it was before it was knocked down. We managed to protect the footprint of the building and it is there for all time, certainly the next 200 or 300 years.

The Heritage Council and such bodies are important in helping, informing and supporting. The council's grants are many and varied. In many cases, they are quite small. I am not belittling any grant that is given to anybody - I certainly would not - but I would like to see a significant increase in the council's budget. On my iPad, I noted 16 pages of bodies that the council supported. Works included walled town projects and the mediaeval festival. These are all important because they are driving our other agenda pertaining to jobs and attracting tourists.

The heritage tourists coming to Ireland are primarily in their 40s or a little older. They are generally well educated and have a lot of money to spend. That is what the profile indicates. Tourists from France, Germany, America and England are very clear about what they want and like in our country. One can look at the numbers oneself. The tourists want an authentic and enriching experience and to immerse themselves in local culture. They want to see our beautiful scenery and engage with history and culture. They want to meet friendly people. These are the factors everybody present wants to support and strengthen and that offer people a unique and special experience when they come to our island, which, unlike other parts of the world, is not blessed with the sun.

By developing our tourism industry, we will encourage many more people to come, including the sightseer and the culture seeker. The latter are people to whom exploring a country's sites and finding out about its culture are the key motivations for going on holiday. If we develop our industry, they will stay longer in our country and spend more. They are affluent, well travelled, highly educated and socially concerned. They are interested in learning while on holiday and seek themed and authentic experiences. Some 43% of these visitors come from mainland Europe to our country. Therefore, there are many good things to be proud of and hope for, and there are many good and important battles to be fought. Obviously, I will be listening to what the Minister will say on the charges made. In some cases, they were unnecessary and unfair.

We must all work together, build our heritage, support our communities, educate, inform and move forward together. It is not that the farmer should be fighting with the conservationist. It is not that we should be losing our biodiversity. It is none of these things. rather it is about working together and, as I stated, encouraging and supporting one another. All of our aims are the same. We want a better country. We all want to protect our heritage and to grow our jobs.

Some of the work I would like to see done may be for the OPW or another organisation. When I visit places, I love looking at the culture, heritage and built environment and taking on board the social and political history. I would like it if we could use our imagination even more. In 1860 in Drogheda, the British army was resident. I believe they were called sappers. They surveyed all the buildings in the town. It was a huge job of work. I spoke to the map people in the Phoenix Park and learned they could create a three-dimensional model of Drogheda town in 1860 quite easily. One could create it digitally and one could have it in one's museum. We should consider such initiatives, which are in all our bigger towns and cities. Through the historic record, we could recreate what places were like years ago. Some videos on the Internet indicate this is not uncommon in other countries. I would really like to see it. If we had interactive digital imaging of our history and culture, it would make a huge difference for people who want to come here, and it would educate and inform us all.

Annagassan is in County Louth and it was the primary site of the Vikings in Ireland, long before Dublin existed. There was a bit of a battle there in the 900s and the site was completely abandoned. It has not been built on or disturbed since. Local people in Annagassan would love to see archaeological work there. Some has been done, and people believe the place is unique and special. I am informed that the archaeological features of Linn Duchaill are unique and special, certainly the best on this island. Finding features of archaeological interest, building up a picture of life at the time in question and having a visitor centre in a place such as Annagassan to show its wonderful heritage are really useful and positive.

If we use our imagination and work with such bodies as the Heritage Council, the OPW and anybody who has an interest in this area we could devise a national plan, fund it and create jobs in areas where there are not enough jobs at the moment. That would be hugely beneficial to society.

I am happy with the parts of the Bill I have spoken about, but I understand people are concerned about other parts. There is no doubt they raise serious questions but I do not believe the Minister is the person some have painted her to be. I reject what was said in that regard. All my knowledge and experience of the Minister would indicate the opposite to the charges that have been personally laid at her door. I believe they are wrong.

I hope the Minister will get an increased budget in order to increase awareness. There is hugely increased awareness about heritage and the work bodies such as the Heritage Council are doing. However, sometimes those who do work are not seen and the commentary is that not enough people know what the Heritage Council does. The council needs to fly its flag a bit more, come forward more and get more funding. I welcome the principles outlined in the legislation, which I have enumerated. They are ones I support.

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