James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for the preservation of the Market House, Castlepollard, County Westmeath which is the oldest building in the town and is a valuable link to the 18th century; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The Market House, Castlepollard, is in the ownership of Westmeath County Council. Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for the planning authorities in the exercise of their functions 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 (RPS) 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.

On 5 October 2007, I formally launched my Department's Survey of the Architectural Heritage (NIAH) of County Westmeath. Included in this NIAH survey are structures throughout the county, including Castlepollard Market House, which are rated as being of regional importance or higher. Under Section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, I have recommended to Westmeath County Council that these structures are included in its RPS. I also met with representatives of the Castlepollard Market House Campaign Group on 5 October and understand that the Group will have further contact with Westmeath County Council, and my Department as appropriate.