Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce legislation which will put on a primary statutory basis a universal requirement to have new developments in keeping with surrounding buildings of historical and architectural significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24541/14]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Does the Minister have plans to introduce legislation which will put on a primary statutory basis a universal requirement that new developments will take into account surrounding buildings if they are of historical or architectural significance?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Planning authorities are already empowered to protect the architectural heritage in the interest of proper planning and sustainable development within their respective functional areas, and to prevent its deterioration, loss or damage. This role is reflected in the adoption of suitable policies for protecting the architectural heritage in development plans and giving practical effect to those policies through development control decisions, generally by liaison between planning officers and conservation officers. I am not contemplating further legislation in this area at present.

In the present legislative framework, specific provision is made for development plans to include objectives,inter alia, for the protection of structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest; and the preservation of the character of architectural conservation areas. Provision is also made for the designation of architectural conservation areas, in respect of which development plans may include an objective to preserve the character of the place, area, group of structures or townscape. In considering an application for permission for development in regard to land situated in an architectural conservation area, a planning authority, or the board on appeal, must take into account the material effect, if any, that the proposed development would be likely to have on the character of the architectural conservation area.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I am taken aback by the Minister of State's answer. It would appear from her reply that the Minister of State is saying there is sufficient legislation to prevent deterioration and protect these structures. If there was legislation concerning specific planning rules that would be applicable to the area around historic sites, however, we would not be left with the current situation in Moore Street. In that case, the whole area was allowed to become derelict and we saw that continuing over the years. The site then went to a developer who is now in NAMA.

Unless the Minister and the Government intervene, come 2016, we will probably have a national monument from Nos. 14 to 17, Moore Street, but it will be surrounded by the current derelict area. Alternatively, if the developer had his way and found the money, or if NAMA provided it, we would have a huge shopping centre that would completely dwarf our national monument there.

The Dutch authorities would not allow something similar at the Anne Frank House. The Polish and German authorities would not allow fast food takeaways beside Auschwitz or Dachau. We are not protecting our national monument by not having these other plans to support the general area around it. There is not sufficient legislation in place to protect it.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has the power to comment both on development plans and on specific development proposals. I would have thought that is the area where such provisions should be made and incorporated into the development plan. As the Deputy knows, the development plan is adopted by the local authority but it is subject to guidelines at national level, both from my Department and, in this area, it is subject to comments from the relevant Minister.

Structures are in place but a question may arise as to whether they are appropriately implemented. From my Department's point of view, we are satisfied that legislation is in place to deal with these issues.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the proof is what we see in Moore Street at present. This issue has been pursued with the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ad infinitum. He has done what he says he can do in regard to the national monument at 14-17 Moore Street. Surely the local development plans should also take account of the aesthetics of the surrounding area. There is considerable potential in that area for housing, indigenous small industries along Moore Street and for continuing the street trading tradition. We should do much more with the street by embracing the national monument because otherwise I think we will be a laughing stock come 2016, although it appears that considerable efforts are being made to divert attention from Moore Street to the GPO. Whether we like it or not, Moore Street is where the men and women moved after they left the GPO. They moved along those streets to what is now the national monument and then to the site of the Rotunda for the surrender. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government could play a stronger role with the local development plan in terms of taking aesthetics into account.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy made a fair case. Her question did not refer specifically to Moore Street but if there is anything we can do on the matter in respect of our own responsibilities, I will certainly consider it. There are specific guidelines in regard to developments that affect a protected structure or an architectural conservation areas. I could state the guidelines for the Deputy but I do not think that will be necessary. If a more general issue arises relating to the development plan for the area in question, I will certainly investigate whether the Department can do anything.