28 April 2003   PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY ACCUSES CULLEN OF PUTTING HERITAGE AT RISK BY ABOLISHING DÚCHAS

The Green Party has accused the Minister for the Environment Martin Cullen TD of putting heritage at risk by proposing the abolition of Dúchas. The Party intends opposing the proposals in the Dáil.

"The proposed changes will stifle any opposition to development, and threaten our heritage" stated Ciarán Cuffe TD, the Green Party's Environment Spokesperson this afternoon. "Getting rid of the Duchás brand is inappropriate as we try and market Ireland as Heritage Ireland.

"I tabled the following question to Minister Cullen last week and am awaiting his reply:

'To ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether he believes that the State's responsibilities under the National Monuments Acts can be discharged efficiently under the new arrangements to split the built heritage functions of Dúchas between the Department of the Environment and Local Government  and the Office of Public Works and by getting rid of  away the Dúchas brand, and would he make a statement on the matter?'

"Under the new arrangement what will happen if issues similar to Carrickmines Castle present themselves? Will the developers and road builders be able to run a coach and horses through the heritage legislation. One of the new Government's first decisions was to remove the word 'heritage' from a Government department, and now 'Dúchas' is about to disappear.

"Our archaeology, and built heritage is threatened by this proposal. We call on Government to reconsider their decision, and we intend opposing it in the Dáil"

Ends