Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the opportunity to raise this Adjournment matter but in light of the previous one, it seems irrelevant. Nonetheless, I welcome the opportunity to speak on it. The Poolbeg chimneys are two of Dublin's most iconic structures. I am sure everyone knows the candy stripe towers on the Poolbeg peninsula. Poolbeg is adjacent to the now decommissioned Pigeon House generating station where electricity was first generated in 1903.

The first or last things people see when approaching or leaving Dublin by air or sea are these chimneys and the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The candy-striped chimneys are among the tallest structures in Ireland and are visible from most of Dublin city. No. 1 chimney is 680 feet and nine inches in height and No. 2 chimney is one foot higher. They were designed to minimise atmospheric pollution and the towers now form part of Dublin's skyline and have been used as a backdrop to some of Dublin's most well-known films, pop and music videos and paintings, along with political literature from all sides of the political divide and none. Over the summer there has been much speculation as to what will happen to the chimneys when the power station is decommissioned next year. Media reports suggest that the ESB is considering their demolition. I am against any such action. Speaking to residents in Ringsend and Sandymount, Irishtown, Ballsbridge and Donnybrook, I know there would be strong opposition from the local community.

Earlier this year, I wrote to the chief executive of the ESB to ascertain its plans for the towers and to put on record my opposition to any plans which would result in the demolition of the chimneys. I received the standard response that no decision had yet been made about the chimneys. Last year, a motion was tabled at Dublin City Council to have the chimneys added to the list of protected structures which would have made it illegal to demolish them. This motion was rejected but the city planners recommended that a full assessment should be carried out should electricity generation cease at the plant. I ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to seek a guarantee from the ESB that no decision will be made about the future of the chimneys without at least first consulting Dublin City Council, the Department and all other relevant stakeholders.

If these towers had been designed by some famous architect or trendy designer, we would not be having this discussion because their demolition would not be permitted. Given that these towers were accidental iconic structures, some people are of the view that they can be knocked down. The social and historical significance of the chimneys is significant and I call for them to be given protected status.

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Andrews for affording us an opportunity to discuss the Poolbeg stacks which are significant features in the landscape not just in the city, but right across Dublin. The Poolbeg stacks were constructed at different times; the first chimney was erected in 1971 and the second in 1978. Following the construction of the second stack, the pair came to be regarded as a significant feature in the landscape, painted by artists and used as a reference point by citizens and visitors alike. The commanding presence that the pair of stacks acquired is primarily social.

Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Under the provisions of the Act, each planning authority is required, for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest, to include in its development plan a record of protected structures for its functional area. This may be done at the time of the preparation of the development plan or, where appropriate, at any other time.

Section 53(1) of the 2000 Act enables the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to make recommendations to a planning authority concerning the inclusion of specific structures in its record of protected structures. A planning authority must have regard to any such recommendations. Ministerial recommendations are generally based on national inventory of architectural heritage, NIAH, surveys undertaken by the Department and such a survey has yet to be undertaken for Dublin. The making of an addition to, or deletion from, a record of protected structures is a reserved function of the planning authorities.

I understand Dublin City Council issued a report recommending that these twin structures should not be added to the record of protected structures. The reason stated is that while the Poolbeg stacks are considered to be of a certain level of architectural, social and historical significance, they are not considered to be of sufficient value within the meaning of Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and should not, therefore, be added to the record of protected structures.

I understand the Poolbeg stacks have a limited design life. Engineering structures are typically designed for a 60-year life. Concrete absorbs carbon dioxide from the moment it is poured and, ultimately, combined with pollutants and chlorine from the sea salt, there is degradation and fragmentation. While some older similar stacks survive in other countries, these are generally far from the sea and not subject to the same chloride attack that has clearly taken its toll on the Poolbeg stacks.

I understand the ESB is scheduled to decommission the stacks in 2010 but no decision has been taken as to their future use. Ultimately, it is a matter for Dublin City Council to decide whether the stacks should be added to the record of protected structures.