Dáil Éireann

Vol. 1007 Wednesday, No. 6 26 May 2021 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 26/05/2021A00300Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 759 26/05/2021A00400Heritage Sites� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 759 26/05/2021B01100Rental Sector � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 762 26/05/2021C00450Employment Rights � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 765 26/05/2021E00200Invasive Species Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 767 26/05/2021F00300 Independent Beef Regulator: Motion [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 770 26/05/2021S00350Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 798 26/05/2021W00100Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 807 26/05/2021Z00400Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 814 26/05/2021Z00500Departmental Programmes � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 814 26/05/2021BB00300Cabinet Committees � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 820 Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021 [Seanad]: Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � 825 26/05/2021LLL00900Estimates for Public Services 2021: Message from Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 881 26/05/2021LLL01100Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Bill 2018 [Seanad]: Report and Final Stages� � � � � � � � � � � 881 26/05/2021MMM01100Public Service Pay Bill 2020: Report and Final Stages � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 883 26/05/2021OOO00400Annexation of Palestine: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 887 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 26 Bealtaine 2021 Wednesday, 26 May 2021 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 9�10 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 26/05/2021A00300Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate 26/05/2021A00400Heritage Sites 26/05/2021A00500Deputy Michael McNamara: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle� In 2010 a tentative list of sites for designation to UNESCO world heritage status was put forward by this State� Unfortunately, nothing very much happened after that with regard to that tentative list� During my time as a Deputy in the Thirty-first Dáil, the Dáil before last, I took the opportunity to visit UNESCO to hear what was happening with the list and the body was surprised to hear from somebody from Ireland, such was the lack of communication or follow-up from here� I am glad that Ireland is now putting forward a new tentative list and I very much hope there will be a degree of energy involved in that that was sorely absent over the past decade or so� The 2010 list contained a grouping of early monastic sites, namely, Clonmacnoise, Glendal- ough, Inis Cealtra, Durrow, Kells and Monasterboice� Fortunately, any UNESCO proposal or designation for a world heritage list has to be accompanied by local buy-in and support and that is something to which UNESCO very much looks� Unfortunately, in the case of the early monastic site grouping, Offaly County Council for one reason or another were not very interested in having Clonmacnoise designated� Of the six sites that I mentioned, most people would agree that Clonmacnoise from an archaeological perspective, or even perhaps an architectural one, is the most interesting. Due to that site not being progressed and the lack of appetite from Offaly to do so, the entire group did not progress� Similarly, there was a western stone forts designation which included Dún Aonghusa, which would probably be the most well-known of them, Cahercommaun, in Killinaboy, north Clare, and three other forts, including two in County Kerry� As Kerry County Council, for one reason or another, was not very interested in advancing its designation, that grouping fell� There were other single designations such as the Burren and Georgian Dublin� It is hardly surprising that Georgian Dublin did not proceed given Dublin City Council’s propensity to destroy its Geor- 759 Dáil Éireann gian culture at most available opportunities and Senator McDowell has recently commented on that� While everybody likes to see contemporary architecture, when there is existing architecture of world merit it should be preserved� I am not suggesting that one builds a faux replica of it in any way, as once it is gone it is gone� There was for a very long time, and perhaps even now, a lack of awareness on the part of Dublin City Council of the importance of preserving what is there� Returning to the main topic, a new list is being developed� One of the UNESCO criteria is: “to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance”. In that context, Kerry County Council is moving forward with the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Station as a proposal because it was a tangible moment in time when global telecommunications was born and I wish it luck with that� There are sites in County Clare in particular, Inis Cealtra and Inis Cathaigh, and these sites are linked with the birth or nascence of a European civilisation, namely, that period in time, the early Middle Ages and the Carolingian court, when the idea of Europe was born� Whether Europe had a Christian tradition or not was an issue of controversy when the constitution for Europe was being framed� Whether one agrees with that or not, it is indisputable that the idea of Europe was born in the early Middle Ages through the work of a network of monks and they had their origins in monasteries, including Inis Cealtra and Inis Cathaigh� 26/05/2021B00200Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Peter Burke): I thank Deputy McNamara for raising this important matter� In keep- ing with UNESCO advice to review the Tentative List every ten years, my Department launched a call for applications to Ireland’s Tentative List of world heritage properties in January 2019� The closing date for receipt of applications is 30 June 2021� My Department has invited all local authorities to submit applications to it with respect to properties of natural and-or cultural heritage within their areas of responsibility which may meet the requirements for inclusion on the Tentative List within the Department� My Department’s national monument’s service has been liaising closely with local authorities that have expressed an interest in having a property within their county boundaries included on the revised Tentative List, providing advice and guidance on an ongoing basis� The Department has also organised outreach events in conjunction with the International Council on Monuments and Sites Ireland and has provided feedback on various projects to all of the 31 local authorities� My Department’s policy for the application has been sponsored by relevant local authorities or other statutory bodies in order to ensure continuity throughout the process� Individuals and organisations are encouraged to apply in collaboration with the local authorities� The role of the local authority in the process is crucial in order to facilitate public consultation and wider stakeholder engagement, particularly in light of the requirement under the UNESCO operational guidelines for a participatory planning and stakeholder consultation throughout the process� For a property to proceed to nomination for world heritage status, it first must be placed on the Tentative List for at least one year� Immediately after the June 2021 closing date, my Department will conduct an initial screening of all applications received before transmitting them to an expert advisory group for independent assessment and accreditation� The expert advisory group will make recommendations to my Department on the properties that should be included in the revised Tentative List� As a focal point for Ireland as a state party of The World 760 26 May 2021 Heritage Convention, my Department will make a final decision in regard to the Tentative List. In assessing the applications received, the expert advisory group will evaluate a property’s like- lihood to progress to nomination and inscription on the world heritage list based on the ability to demonstrate outstanding universal value, as alluded to by the Deputy, meaning that its significance is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations to all humanity� To demonstrate universal value a property must meet at least one of the world heritage cri- terion, the relevant conditions of integrity and-or authenticity and there must be mechanisms in place to provide

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