Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to see the final transfer of the heritage function to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I think the right place for it is down in the Customs House with the planning, local government and water sections. I am particularly delighted to see the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, take on this role, given his lifetime of experience, activism and commitment to protecting our natural, built and cultural heritage.

Our built heritage is of vital economic and social value. Throughout our regional towns and cities, we have spectacular examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture. Sadly, these buildings are often neglected and derelict and they are often subjected to alterations which badly damage their architectural merit. When these buildings are not listed on the record of protected structures, there is little can be done to stop that.

Our town centres first policy, which is also under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, seeks to bring life and vibrancy back to our town centres and to sustain local economic growth. Many of the unused and vacant heritage buildings in our towns can, with the right supports, provide town centre residential use and bring life and living back into those towns. I look forward to the progress that will be made by the Department on the town centres first policy.

Our natural heritage has long been neglected. Our wildlife and the habitats in which it exists are under constant pressure. Loss of habitats, fragmentation, destruction of ecological corridors, pollution, invasive species, herbicides and pesticides, intensive land use, water quality and climate change have all created the biodiversity crisis in which we live. It is a long list of issues which we must tackle. We have no choice but to do so. Increased protection for urban trees must also be introduced and not just a reliance on tree preservation orders. A clean, healthy and functioning environment is a necessity for all life, for communities and for our economy.

The forest fires on which other Deputies have commented today are not new events; they are annual events. Some are accidental but many are deliberate actions to clear land. The destruction in Killarney is heartbreaking but I expect to see something similar in Wicklow and other locations soon. I really and truly hope I am wrong about that but it will not be surprising if it happens. It will be condemned by everybody, and we will see loss of habitats and species that are already under severe pressure. There must be concerted action on this issue between the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address this problem. Investigations must be thorough and those responsible must be held to account and penalised for their actions. I welcome the significant increase in funding for the NPWS, the increase in resources and the proposal to create a wildlife crime unit, which is vitally important.

I also stress the importance of our marine environment. It is a vital part of our entire ecosystem. We must invest urgently in research and data gathering to progress the designation of marine protected areas. We are committed to designating 30% of our sea area as protected but we need to act quickly. I look forward to continued engagement with our environmental NGOs and with the Minister of State's Department and to the outcome of the ongoing public consultation on marine protected areas. The Minister of State has a long list of issues to address in the heritage section. I know from meetings with him and his departmental officials that he is committed to the task and I look forward to continuing to work with him and with our Oireachtas joint committee on these matters.

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