Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 484: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a decision has been reached by his Department's heritage section to allow proposed works at a graveyard (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7511/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The graveyard at Templebeg, Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, like many others throughout Ireland, is located within an ancient church site, which dates back to between the fifth and seventh century AD. In cases like this, the surviving walled graveyard is usually part of a much larger archaeological site defined by one or a number of concentric enclosures. The buried features and deposits in the area around the graveyard can be of great importance from an archeological point of view specifically because they have not have been disturbed by burials. Where my Department, in the exercise of its functions in relation to heritage protection, is asked for its views on works at or in the vicinity of such sites it takes account, in considering the matter, of the relevant circumstances in each particular case.

My Department visited Templebeg graveyard in September 2007 to examine, having regard to current levels of use of the graveyard and any accompanying requirement for an access road, whether it might be possible to improve access in a sensitive manner, while minimising any impact on the archaeological features and deposits in the vicinity of the graveyard. The Department was satisfied that the existing graveyard is at the core of a much larger archaeological site on which any access road would have a significant impact. Nevertheless, in recognition of the Graveyard Committee's wish to improve access to the graveyard, there is now agreement, following a meeting with the Committee in January 2008, on a type of pathway that would improve access but could be done in a manner that is sensitive to the archaeological features. Proposals for this pathway are currently being drawn up.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 485: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will ensure that the local authority planning offices recognise the Historic Churches Advisory Committees to be established on a diocesan or inter-diocesan basis as enshrined in the document Architectural Heritage Protection, Guidelines for Planning Authorities, Guidance on Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000 launched by him in 2005; and if he will ensure that the planning authorities engage with the HCAC in relevance to the direction by himself.. [7519/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The appropriate conservation of church buildings is central to the objectives of my Department in relation to the protection and preservation of our architectural heritage, as reflected in the legislation and the guidelines referred to in the question. I welcome the establishment of the Historic Churches Advisory Committees and recognise the valuable role they play in the protection of architectural heritage in churches.

There is ongoing contact between my Department and the various church representatives on individual development proposals involving churches which are protected structures, and on policy matters, including increasing awareness and education on specialist architecture unique to church interiors. My Department will continue to promote similar engagement at local authority level and will shortly contact City and County Managers in this regard. Funding is also provided by my Department through the Local Authorities and the Heritage Council towards the conservation of churches: nearly €7m was provided by my Department for this purpose in 2006/ 2007. I will shortly be announcing heritage funding provisions for 2008 and expect to be in a position to provide additional funding this year for the conservation of churches.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 486: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will issue a licence from the development application unit of his Department to a local authority (details supplied). [7524/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On foot of an application for a foreshore licence, my Department was asked on 29 June 2007 by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to comment on the proposed local authority development given its potential to impact on underwater archaeological heritage. The Department responded on 7 August 2007 recommending that an underwater archaeological assessment of the proposed development area be undertaken given its high archaeological potential. There are a large number of archaeological wrecks in this vicinity generally and it is close to the landing point of French troops in 1798. As part of this assessment an application for a dive/survey licence covering the relevant foreshore, inter-tidal area and seabed was made to the Department by archaeological consultants to the local authority on 23 January 2008. However, certain additional information was required to enable the application to be processed. The information requested was received by my Department and the necessary licence has issued in this case.