THE Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, has invited comments over the next four months on his Department's discussion paper.
He said that for the first time, there was a broad consensus on the need to improve legislative measures and financial in vestment for the conservation of our built environment.
Speaking at the publication of the paper at Dublin Castle yesterday, he said implementing its recommendations would require considerable national financial commitment and this must be examined in the context of public sector staffing policy and demands on the public finances.
"When the level of public spending is debated in the Dail and in the media, it should be remembered that this issue impacts directly on our ability as a society to provide a desirable level of protection for our architectural heritage. Legislation alone is not sufficient. Those who are serious in their commitment to the quality of our built environment cannot be seen as credible if they remain silent, or worse compliant, when arguments for reductions in public services, including cultural spending, are advanced," he said.
He called for a "holistic approach to the built environment", to protect our architectural heritage while promoting high quality in new work. His Department's paper set out a policy framework in its broadest sense and raised issues of bow to achieve high standards of design, construction, innovation in architecture and sustainable development.
He said the Government had recently decided to ratify the European Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage and a motion approving its terms would be put to the Dail.
The president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Mr David Keane, said the paper would stimulate a much needed debate about the type of built environment that was needed in Ireland, "so that we can create buildings of real quality for people to live and work in".