FIANNA Fail in government would establish a Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and give a definite percentage of Lottery funding to heritage, the party has promised.
Introducing the party's position paper on heritage at the National Library in Dublin yesterday, the Fianna Fail spokesman on arts, culture and heritage, Ms Sile de Valera, said the document would "guide and energise" their policies in government.
Speaking at the launch, the Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said the days were gone when a benevolent centralised department of culture could or should dictate to local communities about cultural and heritage issues. Local communities and authorities should play an increasingly greater role.
The 32-page document, entitled Caring for Our Heritage, includes 50 proposals which Fianna Fail says it will implement in government. In addition to renaming the existing Department to boost heritage, the party also says it will develop a national heritage plan to involve the co-ordination of a conservation strategy with government departments.
Ms de Valera's document also proposes an overall development and management plan for the Burren. Her party will consider establishing a council for the Burren consisting of a range of interest group.