Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very happy to second the Planning and Development (Built Heritage Protection) Bill 2022 in my name and those of Senators Norris, McDowell, Craughwell, Keogan, Mullen and Clonan.We do so because we think this is really important legislation. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the role he played as chairman of the portraits and arts committee here in respect of the hanging, dare I say it, of the portrait of Senator Norris today in the House. It was a very moving and special moment. I know the important role the Cathaoirleach played. He made a very convincing case. It was not difficult to make that convincing case on behalf of Senator Norris but the Cathaoirleach made that case to the commission, which agreed to it. It was a great day for all of us today that a portrait of Senator Norris hangs in the central hall of Leinster House, of our Parliament. No doubt, he will be the subject of conversation of many people who will pass through these corridors in the years to come.

I also welcome the Minister of State, who has significant commitment and lives in the wonderful county of Kilkenny, which is full of protected structures. It is important to point out that local planning authorities are required in law to maintain a record of protected structures known as the RPS. That must be part of the county development plan process. There is extensive public engagement in respect of that. In simple terms, a protected structure must fit a number of criteria, specifically architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social and technical interest. They are the strict criteria for a protected structure. I think it is important that we do not suggest that because somebody likes the colour or shape of a building, it should be designated a protected structure. This is very strongly rooted in conservation and heritage protection and is also addressed in a number of conservation guidelines by the Department. I also acknowledge the enormous work of the Department in this area, the conservation officers that do exist in some local authorities and the councillors who are constantly promoting the inclusion of a number of buildings that meet the criteria for protected structures into the RPS.

This Bill attempts to increase the number of conservation officers per the number of protected structures. Dublin city, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Cork would be at the top of the pyramid. Already the architectural inventory is doing work. It has not been completed in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. It is very significant there, as it is in Dublin. This Bill seeks to address the role of architectural conservation officers, the qualifications of architectural conservation officers and the role they will play between planning and architecture because many local authorities run a separate architectural department. There needs to be a greater synergy between town planning, landscape, biodiversity, heritage and culture. They are all intertwined and we need greater synergies between them.

I also acknowledge the significant and successful work of Kilkenny County Council, which is one of the leading councils with regard to heritage. Why would it not be with such a wonderful city? We want the placing of architectural conservation officers to be central as part of this legislation, the creation of possibly a State conservation officer to co-ordinate, resource and upskill architectural conservation officers in the future and a review of the planning legislation. What a timely opportunity in this legislation when the Attorney General is considering extensive law reform and proposals that I know the Minister of State is very much involved with in terms of a new planning Bill and the consolidation and streamlining of a planning and development Bill. This is very important. The proposals in this Bill will hopefully guide and influence some of that consideration. We know a number of local authorities have outstanding legal issues that they have not closed off with regard to protected structures and that there is an issue with resources and employment. Over decades, we have seen that many protected structures have been undermined and in some cases, demolished and people have not been taken to court successfully in some cases. I acknowledge the importance of what this Bill is attempting to do.

In summary, our Bill seeks to strengthen the protection of our built heritage and ensure that planning authorities have the necessary powers, functions, resources, finances and expertise to act quickly to protect protected structures. We want to support the local authorities that have architectural conservation officers and to see an architectural conservation officer in every local authority. We acknowledge the work they are doing under very difficult circumstances and do not doubt the CCMA's commitment to heritage protection. I thank Senator Norris for his enormous work in the protection of Georgian Dublin. I thank the Dublin Civic Trust and An Taisce for their enormous work.

I acknowledge the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, who announced the other day that he had boosted the budget of the Irish Environmental Network from €1 million to €1.7 million. For those who do not know, the Irish Environmental Network distributes that funding to 34 environmental groups, of which An Taisce is one. I want to put on the record that An Taisce does enormously good and positive work yet has been the subject of bad press in certain parts of the country. What I like about the maturity of the Government and the Minister is that they accept that it is a critical component of consultation in planning and the Government has funded it. There is a real role in terms of partnership with the Irish Environmental Network, An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society and the Heritage Council, which the Minister of State has done a lot of work with. Our Bill wants to strengthen and resource the conservation officers and educate, assist, support and protect unique heritage buildings be they protected structures, buildings in conservation areas or buildings in architectural conservation areas. I commend this legislation. I thank Senator Norris and the rest of my colleagues for the work they put into it and the support of An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society, the Dublin Civic Trust and others. I hope this will be the basis of a discussion. Yes, we do not have everything right in this legislation and there may be a need for improvements but we can work out something with the Department and officials that can strengthen the protection of our unique, special and treasured built heritage.