Written answers

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Heritage Sites

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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703. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of plans to secure UNESCO recognition for the transtlantic cable station at Valentia Island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3482/18]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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As a precursor to being nominated to UNESCO for World Heritage status, a site must first go through a comprehensive assessment process at national level that would lead, with UNESCO's agreement, to its placement on Ireland’s World Heritage Tentative List. Later this year, my Department will be inviting applications from candidate sites for inclusion on the upcoming 2020 Tentative List. Inclusion on list will ultimately be determined by whether a site meets relevant criteria relating, inter alia, to outstanding universal value, availability of adequate site management and protection resources, and the extent of stakeholder engagement and support for the bid.

I am aware of the Valentia Cable Station supporters' interest in getting on to the 2020 list as a transboundary proposal with its counterpart at Heart's Content, Newfoundland, Canada.  The cable stations at Valentia and Heart's Content are at opposite ends of the first transatlantic telegraph system and a potential bid for World Heritage status would centre on the unique history and relationship between the two sites.

My Department is in contact with its Canadian counterpart, Parks Canada, in relation to the Valentia proposal and has informed them that Ireland will support the Valentia bid once it meets the qualifying criteria.

I understand that a considerable amount of preparatory work has already been done locally on the Valentia proposal which will assist in the preparation of the Tentative List application later in the year. My Department will also provide such advice and guidance as it can support Kerry County Council as the lead organisation at local level.

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