De Valera asks for heritage plan

A national heritage plan has been commissioned by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera. It will involve a review of existing structures, administration, legislation and funding.

The ambitious development, which will take at least a year to complete, meets a key commitment in the Programme for Government, the Minister said yesterday. The objective was to produce an integrated heritage plan for the first time in the State's history, she said.

The Heritage Council, which published its own plan late last year and submitted it to the Minister, has welcomed the initiative. The council saw "no overlap" with its own role as an advisory body, and said any duplication could only be viewed in the most positive light.

The plan's terms of reference identify "protection, conservation, management and presentation of the natural heritage, the architectural and archaeological (movable and immovable) heritage, the inland waterways of the State, and documentary and archival heritage".

The plan will examine administrative, funding, legislative and structural arrangements, and the role of the wider community.

The natural heritage is identified as "flora and fauna, habitats, geological features and other biodiversity elements, particularly in the context of the national biodiversity plan".

The archaeological heritage includes "sites, monuments, areas, landscapes, artefacts and objects on land and under water".

The architectural, artistic and historic heritage includes "buildings, structures, parks, gardens and objects of architectural, artistic and historic importance".

Other aspects to be examined include "natural and cultural landscapes", inland waterways and documentary and archival heritage, including traditional music archives, the Minister said.

Ms de Valera said she was initiating public consultation to ensure the widest possible participation in development of priorities, strategies and actions. She added: "I believe very strongly in the need for a partnership approach, which will both acknowledge and promote a real sense of the public ownership of our shared heritage and encourage the active involvement of individuals and communities throughout the country."