Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Bríd Smith, who has been delayed in hospital. The question concerns the Iveagh Market in the Liberties. It is an absolute scandal that the building has been sat on by a developer. It is derelict and could collapse. It is an historical heritage site and the local community wants it to be re-established as a market, which could really revitalise the Liberties area. The community and Dublin City Council have been frustrated at every hand's turn by the greed of a developer, essentially, who wants to sit on the site.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I must clarify that policy responsibility for the core issues at the heart of this matter, namely, the protection of architectural heritage, urban regeneration and planning legislation, rests with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. Implementation of such policies on the ground falls, to a great degree, to local authorities, which in this instance is Dublin City Council. The local authorities have particular responsibilities and powers under the planning Acts regarding the safeguarding of protected structures, such as the Iveagh Market, and development proposals affecting such structures.

Our heritage and cultural offering, including our built heritage, is an important underpinning of the wider tourism offering, but any possible role for my Department or the tourism agencies regarding the Iveagh Market might only arise, once any legal issues have been resolved, at a later stage in the process, should a tourism-related development be proposed or advanced. This question from the Deputy concerns my responsibility in this regard in the context of tourism. In that case, in line with its tourism development functions, Fáilte Ireland could consider the proposal and any possible agency supports. My Department's role concerning tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy. Accordingly, the development and enhancement of our tourism product offering and related funding decisions are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland.

Commenting more generally on the role of heritage and culture as part of the overall tourism offering, Fáilte Ireland has advised that prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic more than 70% of overseas tourists to Ireland visited sites of historical or cultural interest. Accordingly, to develop more participative experiences that bring local culture and heritage to life, Fáilte Ireland has prioritised capital investment in projects that will deliver innovative and interactive experiences in which our visitors can immerse themselves.

With specific regard to Dublin and Fáilte Ireland's supports to enhance the city's heritage and cultural offering, examples include the Dublin surprising stories small grants scheme. This is offered in tandem with continued support by Fáilte Ireland for tourism issues in Dublin.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is centrally responsible for this area, but this is a heritage site. It is an absolute scandal that this beautiful building is now on the brink of collapse, instead of having been refurbished, revitalised or redeveloped as a market for the people. That was originally what this building was intended to be when it was given to the people of the area by the Guinness family. The greed of a developer has frustrated efforts to get this vital heritage site back into use. It could transform Francis Street and the wider Liberties district, and be a win-win situation. The community wants this developer out of the picture and Dublin City Council and the State, including the Minister's Department, to-----

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask the Deputy to finish up.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

-----intervene to get this site refurbished in the interests of the people and our heritage.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In her absence, I commend Deputy Bríd Smith on the work she is doing on this issue. Again, I remind Deputy Boyd Barrett that the policy responsibility for the core issues at the heart of this matter, namely, the protection of architectural heritage, urban regeneration and planning legislation, do not lie with my Department but with that of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Any role for my Department or the tourism agencies regarding the Iveagh Market would come at a later stage in the process, once any legal issues have been resolved, if a tourism-related development is proposed or advanced. The role of my Department comes later, once the legal issues have been resolved.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

While that is the formal position, given that she is responsible for the protection of our heritage, the Minister should see this as a priority. What the community is saying is that the mediation with this developer, Mr. Keane, should end. This person has no interest. From looking at the record and the neglect of this beautiful site, and the resulting dereliction and vacancy, it is evident that he has no useful role to play. What we want is for all the arms of government with any stake in this matter to end this ridiculous and terrible situation and ensure this site is restored to its glory in the interests of the people. It should become one of the jewels in the crown of tourism and heritage, as well as an important local amenity for the people of the Liberties.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department held the remit for heritage before I became the Minister, but that responsibility has now moved over to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am looking at Deputy Bríd Smith's question before me and it directly relates to the tourism aspect. My role does not come into play until the legal issue is worked out. As I said, the architectural heritage responsibility rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, while urban planning and development policy is primarily a matter for local authorities. County and city development plans are drawn up by the local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. I reiterate that the heritage responsibility is no longer with my Department but with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.