Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

252. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if an official in her Department has been appointed to co-ordinate the public consultation and implementation of the Brú na Bóinne draft management plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27768/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

253. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the next meeting of the Brú na Bóinne steering group will take place. [27769/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

254. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the local community will be involved in agreeing a policy on planning and development in the Brú na Bóinne area in County Meath. [27770/15]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

255. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will make public the submissions received by her Department on the Brú na Bóinne draft management plan. [27771/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 255, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 710 on 30 June 2015, in which I indicated that all observations on the draft of the new Brú na Bóinne Management Plan are being examined in my Department and that a final draft of the Plan will be forwarded to the local Steering Committee as soon as possible, following which a meeting of that Committee will be arranged.

A summary of the submissions received will be included in the final Plan, the delivery and implementation of which will be undertaken by the personnel in my Department’s National Monuments Service and other relevant interests.

The main instrument for regulating and controlling physical planning within a county is the development plan, which, under the Planning and Development Acts, must be renewed every 6 years following approval by the elected members. The legislation provides for extensive consultation with the general public, who are offered the opportunity to make submissions or observations that must be considered by the planning authority.

For its part, the draft Brú na Bóinne Management Plan acknowledges the rights of local communities - many of whom have actively participated in the conservation, preservation and promotion of the World Heritage Site - in relation to sustainable socio-economic growth and development and the need for the Plan itself to assist communities to sustain and develop social cohesion and the local economy. In that context, among the actions in the draft Plan are commitments to:

- establish a Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Community Forum to discuss issues relating to the World Heritage Site in general and to make observations on the implementation of the Plan;

- work with the local authorities to develop a guidance document, which provides advice on siting and design in relation to residential and agricultural development within the World Heritage Site;

- work with the local authorities to facilitate consultation with applicants regarding the siting and design of developments affecting the World Heritage Site, and the scope of any necessary impact assessments; and

- work with the local authorities and other relevant agencies in promoting and encouraging sustainable economic development in the area, particularly in tourism and agriculture.