Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 641: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the draft tentative list for UNESCO world heritage status will be reconsidered in view of recent excavations over a mile from the Rock of Cashel (details supplied); if changes to the tentative list will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12403/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In October 2008 I established an Expert Advisory Group to carry out a review of Ireland's Tentative List of potential properties for nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List. The Expert Advisory Group (EAG) completed an extensive analysis of the properties on the current Tentative List. Members of the public and interested groups were also invited to submit potential properties for inclusion on the new Tentative List. 31 such proposals were received and these were considered and assessed by the EAG.

On the basis of the Expert Advisory Group's own analysis, and its consideration and assessment of the proposals received from the public and interested groups, a draft new Tentative List was published for public consultation between 2 November 2009 and 23 December 2009. The List contained the details of the properties which the EAG considered were of outstanding universal value, met the UNESCO World Heritage inscription criteria in terms of integrity and authenticity, and had the best potential for future inscription on the World Heritage List.

Cashel was included on the draft new Tentative List within the Royal Sites of Ireland. Possible future discoveries at properties included within the Royal Sites of Ireland, such as those referred to in the Question, have the potential to add to the outstanding universal value of these sites.

54 submissions were received during the public consultation period on the draft new Tentative List. Each property on the draft new Tentative List has been re-examined by the EAG with regard to the submissions received and the UNESCO Tentative List Submission Format. The EAG has now finalised a new Tentative List which has been submitted to me. I expect to be in a position to approve the new Tentative List shortly with a view to submission to UNESCO.