Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the UNESCO tentative list; the submissions that have been received on this list; if changes have been made to the list following the submission phase; the actions he will take to improve the sites on this tentative list, especially in Cashel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In October 2008, I established an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) to carry out a review of Ireland's Tentative List of potential properties for nomination for inscription on the World Heritage List. On the basis of the EAG's own analysis and its consideration and assessment of the proposals and submissions received from the public and interested groups, the group finalised a new Tentative List, which was approved by me and submitted to UNESCO. The new Tentative List was publicly announced by me in April 2010.

Some 54 submissions were received during the public consultation period on the draft of the new Tentative List. Each property on the draft list was re-examined by the EAG with regard to the submissions received and the UNESCO Tentative List Submission Format. Following this re-examination, the EAG did not propose any changes as regards the properties included on the draft list other than to recommend a change in the title of the Dublin property to "The Historic City of Dublin".

Consideration of conservation and other relevant issues will take place during the preparatory stage of any proposed nomination of a property on the Tentative List for inscription on the World Heritage List.

With regard to Cashel, my Department is aware that the Office of Public Works is engaged in a major conservation project at Cormac's Chapel. A temporary roof and access scaffold has been erected over the chapel to facilitate the investigation of the roof and water damage. This roof will allow the chapel to dry out and conservation and repair works to be carried out. Re- pointing of masonry, securing of walls and a general programme of maintenance are at present being carried out by the Office of Public Works.