Major rise in numbers concerned at issues of environment

A new nationwide poll has shown a dramatic increase, particularly in Dublin, in the importance people place on protecting our heritage.

Nine out of 10 people now agree it is important to protect our heritage, with 55 per cent describing it as "very important", up from 46 per cent in 1999.

However, a majority - 53 per cent - also say protecting our heritage should not interfere with "necessary development" of our infrastructure.

Those who hold that view are most likely to be aged between 35 and 49, and from lower-income groups in Munster.

The number who believe protecting our heritage is "very important" rose over the past five years in all areas except Munster.

In Dublin, 71 per cent said heritage protection was "very important", a huge increase on 41 per cent in 1999.

Two out of three people surveyed said heritage should be protected irrespective of the cost, and that people should be penalised for not preserving it.

The perception of what constitutes our heritage is also changing, with more people defining it as not just historic buildings and sites but also including landscapes, streetscapes, scenic views and coastline, flora and fauna and wildlife habitats.

Keeping our own identity, traditions and culture and passing them on to the next generation was the main reason given for protecting heritage. Twenty-five per cent (up from 6 per cent in 1999) said protecting heritage was important as a mark of pride in our country, while 27 per cent said heritage should be protected to enhance tourism.

The survey was carried out among a representative sample of 1,200 adults in July by Lansdowne Market Research for the Heritage Council, and was benchmarked against a similar study carried out in 1999.

The numbers in favour of protecting our heritage rose in almost all categories. The poll indicates a greater awareness of heritage issues, and a more positive attitude towards protection and preservation.

Heritage Council chief executive Mr Michael Starrett yesterday pronounced himself both "absolutely delighted and surprised" at the results.

With tomorrow marking the opening of Heritage Week, Mr Starrett said the survey showed that the strategy of putting resources into the management of heritage at a local level was working.

He paid particular tribute to the work of local authorities and their heritage officers. He said the survey was "a strong pointer" to the Government to allocate adequate resources to heritage protection.

The survey showed an increase from 41 per cent to 50 per cent of those in lower-income groups who believe heritage should be protected.

It also established that people want more information abut heritage issues. Most get their information from television and other media sources, as well as from schools, family and neighbours, and from visiting heritage sites. The Internet is becoming a growing source of information, the poll showed.

The number who believe heritage protection is everyone's responsibility rose from 28 per cent in 1999 to 41 per cent in 2004.

Asked should taxpayers' money be used to fund heritage protection, 53 per cent agreed and 15 per cent disagreed, while the remainder didn't know.

One in three of those surveyed regarded the Department of the Environment as responsible for heritage, while 18 per cent regarded the Heritage Council and local heritage centres as having responsibility.

Heritage Week runs from tomorrow to September 12th. Water Heritage Day will be held on September 11th.

Information on Heritage Week is available from local authority heritage officers and on www.heritagecouncil.ie