Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the proposed new Irish Heritage Trust will have within its remit responsibility for elements of Ireland's heritage such as natural heritage, archaeological heritage and landscape as well as country houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/05]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason the steering committee of the Irish Heritage Trust does not include representatives of kindred bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36675/05]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Irish Heritage Trust will have the authority to declare heritage properties inalienable. [36673/05]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the proposed new Irish Heritage Trust will be able to declare heritage properties inalienable. [36650/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the functions of the independent Irish Heritage Trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36611/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28, 41, 46 and 81 together.

The function of the Irish Heritage Trust is to acquire for public access major important heritage properties which the State may not be in a position to acquire or manage directly and where there is imminent risk to the heritage value of the property through neglect or an appropriate use cannot be brought forward through sale to a private investor. The terms of the trust will be sufficiently broad to allow it to acquire other properties and land of heritage value, but it is envisaged that any extension of its activities will only happen once it has gained experience in relation to heritage buildings.

On 7 November 2005 I announced the establishment of a small but broadly based steering group to advise on the finalisation of the trust arrangements. The group which has the experience and knowledge necessary for this task is to report to me by January next.

The proposed approach does not involve a specific statutory basis to declare inalienability of a particular property. The steering group, however, will be in a position to advise me on how best to proceed in relation to this matter.