Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill because it gives rise to an issue of particular pertinence to my constituents and me. It is an important Bill and its provisions should not be underestimated. It enables the transfer of heritage functions from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

I want to use this opportunity to highlight the wealth of heritage sites in County Clare. From east to west, there is an abundance of natural sites in the county, including native woodlands, cliffs and caves, as well as settlement sites, such as castles and walled gardens. These sites tie us to, and remind us of, our history, roots and ancestry. They also serve as tourist attractions that allow revenue to flow into less urbanised parts of our island. At present, there are tree sites in Clare under the management of the commercial property company, Shannon Group plc, namely, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen Castle and Knappogue Castle. The issue that is brought to my office on a regular basis by constituents revolves around their concern that a commercial property company, driven solely by profit, is responsible for the management and preservation of these ancient historic sites of our shared heritage. I and other elected representatives have raised this matter in the past and put forward proposals that the Office of Public Works, OPW, or Clare County Council become the steward of these sites and assume responsibility for managing them.

I request that the Minister of State look into this matter. I invite him to engage with the elected representatives in the county and liaise with potential stakeholders, including Clare County Council and the OPW. I will conclude by mentioning the Trojan work the council has done in reinvigorating interest in the Cliffs of Moher and creating a huge amount of footfall there.

See this speech in context