Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if Westmeath County Council or Athlone Town Council has complied with his recommendation of 5 October 2007 to include Fr. Matthew Hall, Athlone, County Westmeath in the record of protected structures; if not, if Westmeath County Council or Athlone Town Council has informed him in writing of the reason for their decision; and if not, his views on their reasons for not including Fr. Matthew Hall, Athlone on the record of protected structures. [9115/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to protect the architecture of a hall (details supplied) in County Westmeath following the publication of his Department's National Survey of the Architectural Heritage of County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8842/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 364 together.

Statutory protection of the architectural heritage is primarily a matter for each planning authority in the exercise of its functions under Part IV of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Under the provisions of the Act, each planning authority is required to include in its development plan a Record of Protected Structures (RPS) for its functional area for the purpose of protecting structures, or parts of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.

A recommendation was made under Section 53 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, that Fr. Matthew Hall be included in the RPS. The addition or deletion of a structure to or from the RPS is a reserved function and, as such, is a matter for the planning authority.

I understand that Athlone Town Council has yet to make a decision in relation to the inclusion of Fr. Matthew Hall in the RPS for Athlone. However, I also understand that the Town Council, as owner of the building, has decided to retain the structure and to extend and refurbish it for possible use as an Art Gallery.