Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to protect Ireland's architectural heritage by minimising the unnecessary demolition of older buildings to make way for tax-driven building proposals, in view of the concern expressed recently in relation to this practice by the An Bord Pleanála chairman. [36661/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities to whom my Department provides advice in the exercise of their functions in that regard under 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 within its functional area. This may be done at the time of the preparation of the development plan or, where appropriate, at any other time.

This legislation places a duty of care on the owners of protected structures and also gives planning authorities enhanced powers, not only to deal with development proposals affecting them but also to safeguard their future.

My Department has published the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library. These provide extensive guidance on the assessment of structures for protection.

The ministerial guidelines issued in relation to both the urban and town renewal schemes provide advice in relation to design, architectural and conservation issues for the guidance of developers and planning authorities.