Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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753. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will discuss the main elements of the World Heritage Sites Conference in Dublin Castle in September 2013; if he will provide in tabular form the local authorities that were invited, those that attended; those that did not attend which provided an apology; and those who did not attend and not respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38387/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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UNESCO sets out a formal process for State signatories to the World Heritage Convention for the purpose of nominating properties on their territory for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A particular criterion is for a site to be considered to be of outstanding universal value, defined by UNESCO as meaning of “cultural and or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. ”

The nomination process is initiated by the relevant State authorities drawing up a Tentative List of what they consider to be the most important heritage sites within their national boundaries. Following a public consultation process and consideration by an expert advisory group, a new Tentative List for Ireland was approved and submitted to UNESCO in March 2010 containing the following sites:

- The Burren;

- Céide Fields and North West Mayo Boglands;

- The Monastic City of Clonmacnoise and its Cultural Landscape;

- The Historic City of Dublin;

- Early Medieval Monastic Sites (Clonmacnoise, Durrow, Glendalough, Inis Cealtra, Kells and Monasterboice);

- The Royal Sites of Ireland (Cashel, Dún Ailinne, Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan Complex, Tara Complex and potentially Navan Fort in Armagh);

- Western Stone Forts (Aran Islands - 7 forts, Cahercommaun, The Burren, Caherconree, Staigue, Benagh and Dingle Peninsula).

The nomination of a property to the World Heritage List is a significant undertaking that requires the development of comprehensive nomination documentation, including a management plan for the property. Following submission of a nomination to UNESCO, it is evaluated by three advisory bodies:

- the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS);

- the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and

- the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property(ICCROM).

Once the site has been evaluated, the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee makes the final decision regarding the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List.

The seminar I hosted on 12 September 2013 was designed to consider the interest of local authorities and community groups in pursuing full nomination of World Heritage Status for the sites on the Tentative List and to clarify all the elements involved in applying for and retaining such status. My aim is to encourage consultation within local communities and support local effort for the nomination of World Heritage Status where that is sought. Following on from the seminar, my Department will liaise further with the local authorities and communities involved with a view to further advancing that process.

The locations of sites on Ireland’s Tentative List extend over the administrative areas of 13 local authorities whose attendance at the seminar is set out in tabular form below.

The seminar was also attended by representatives of Armagh District Council in connection with the potential to include Eamhain Mhacha/Navan Fort in the Royal Sites of Ireland nomination.