Ireland has a new Heritage Council with statutory powers and the objective of preserving our national heritage.
Minister for Arts and Culture Michael D Higgins launches the new Heritage Council as a statutory body. The 17 member council has been established under the Heritage Act 1995 and launched at the 12th century Kilkenny Castle.
The new Heritage Council succeeds the National Heritage Council which was a non-statutory body that has now completed its work. The new council is autonomous and has increased powers to intervene on matters which it deems of importance including monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens, parks and inland waterways. For the first time, all items of heritage importance are being brought under one statutory body with the objective of protecting them into the future.
In his speech, Minister Michael D Higgins attacked consumerism and impoverishment and emphasised the need to secure funding in order that the new council can fulfil its objectives. Speaking to RTÉ News, Minister Higgins also used the opportunity to raise the need for funding for Telefís na Gaeilge.
Freda Rowntree, Chairperson of the new council, said that the work is not just about protecting old buildings.
It's about rural farming practices, it’s about hedgerows, it’s about waterways and it’s about seashores and ecology, mountains. It’s about how we do all the things we do every day and have done for generations.
Members of the council are confident that it will work.
The Heritage Council will be based in Kilkenny which is a further boost for the city.
A Heritage Council with the broadest possible brief is now in existence.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 November 1995. The reporter is Michael Lally.
