Madam, - Your recent report that the Government is considering plans to establish, later this year, "a new national trust-style body" to preserve some of Ireland's great houses is welcome news, even though it might be described by a cynic as a case of "conservation for slow learners".
Your report stated that the idea was "first mooted" in late 2003 in a report commissioned by the Irish Georgian Society. This suggests commendable alacrity on the part of the Government in responding to an excellent suggestion. However, the lead time involved in the taking of serious action on this issue is actually much longer.
Exactly 20 years ago, in early 1985, the report "Safeguarding Historic Houses", prepared by the Irish Historic Properties Committee (chaired by Prof Kevin B. Nowlan), was issued and submitted to government.
Its three key recommendations were: "that an independent property-owning trust, to be known as the Irish Trust for Historic Properties, be established as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status"; "that no property be accepted by the trust which cannot be adequately endowed"; and "that a Heritage Commission be formed under appropriate legislation to administer funds provided by the State for the purpose of supporting historic properties by means of grant or loan".
It should be stated that the report was not simply visionary in content but was intended to be an "action" document, containing as it did endowment calculations and an analysis of the relevant tax implications.
While the subsequent formation of the Heritage Council has largely addressed the State funding issue, it is only now that meaningful action appears to be under way in regard to the formation of a property-owning trust. It is impossible to estimate how much loss and deterioration of historic properties has taken place as a result of the two-decade delay; however, the current signs of movement, however belated, are encouraging and are to be warmly welcomed.
By the way, if Minister Dick Roche is interested, I still have a spare copy of "Safeguarding Historic Houses". - Yours, etc.,
LEWIS CLOHESSY,
(Co-editor, "Safeguarding Historic Houses"),
Manor Kilbride,
Co Wicklow.