Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McNamara for raising this important matter. In keeping with UNESCO advice to review the Tentative List every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications to Ireland's Tentative List of world heritage properties in January 2019. The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 June 2021. My Department has invited all local authorities to submit applications to it with respect to properties of natural and-or cultural heritage within their areas of responsibility which may meet the requirements for inclusion on the Tentative List within the Department.

My Department's national monument's service has been liaising closely with local authorities that have expressed an interest in having a property within their county boundaries included on the revised Tentative List, providing advice and guidance on an ongoing basis. The Department has also organised outreach events in conjunction with the International Council on Monuments and Sites Ireland and has provided feedback on various projects to all of the 31 local authorities. My Department's policy for the application has been sponsored by relevant local authorities or other statutory bodies in order to ensure continuity throughout the process. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to apply in collaboration with the local authorities. The role of the local authority in the process is crucial in order to facilitate public consultation and wider stakeholder engagement, particularly in light of the requirement under the UNESCO operational guidelines for a participatory planning and stakeholder consultation throughout the process.

For a property to proceed to nomination for world heritage status, it first must be placed on the Tentative List for at least one year. Immediately after the June 2021 closing date, my Department will conduct an initial screening of all applications received before transmitting them to an expert advisory group for independent assessment and accreditation. The expert advisory group will make recommendations to my Department on the properties that should be included in the revised Tentative List. As a focal point for Ireland as a state party of The World Heritage Convention, my Department will make a final decision in regard to the Tentative List. In assessing the applications received, the expert advisory group will evaluate a property's likelihood to progress to nomination and inscription on the world heritage list based on the ability to demonstrate outstanding universal value, as alluded to by the Deputy, meaning that its significance is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations to all humanity.

To demonstrate universal value a property must meet at least one of the world heritage criterion, the relevant conditions of integrity and-or authenticity and there must be mechanisms in place to provide for its long-term protection and management. The presence of robust local stakeholder support for the project is also considered a crucial element of the viability for a property's nomination to world heritage status. We anticipate receipt of the following five applications: The Burren, Glendalough Monastic City; the Passage Tomb Landscapes of Sligo, the Royal Sites and Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station. My Department does not anticipate receipt of an application with respect to the early medieval monastic sites, which has been part of the previous Tentative List, although, as stated, a standalone application for Glendalough Monastic City is expected to be received. The expert advisory group will then provide guidance as to the feasibility of future world heritage projects in respect of sites on the previous Tentative List for which updated applications are not submitted under the current round. This would, of course, continue to be subject to the requirement of strong local stakeholder support for the projects in question.

I look forward to receipt of applications for inclusion on the Tentative List over the months ahead.

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