THE Government's rejection of a Progressive Democrats Private Member's Bill to protect historic buildings was sharply criticised when debate on the measure concluded last night.

The PD spokeswoman on the environment, Ms Mairin Quill, said it was clear the Government had no legislation of its own and there was no prospect of any this side of a general election. "I make no claim that this is a perfect Bill, but it could be amended at committee stage if that was necessary," she added.

The Local Government (Planning and Development Bill), which was debated over two nights, proposed that tax relief for repairs and restoration be extended to all listed buildings. Ms Quill said that this currently applied only to buildings "of significant scientific, historical, architectural or aesthetic interest", which were open to the public for at least 60 days a year.

The bill proposed the establishment of conservation areas by local authorities and the drawing up of a list of all buildings of an artistic, architectural, cultural or historical interest. A fund would be established to provide "for their acquisition and refurbishment.

Ms Quill said there was widespread destruction of much of Dublin's heritage, with the biggest problem being the gutting and subdivision of fine Georgian buildings. "This gutting goes unmonitored and undocumented because we have no mandatory listing system and because interiors of buildings were not included in the current optional listing system".

Speaking on Tuesday night, the Minister of State for the Environment, Ms Liz McManus, said she did not believe legislation should be enacted until a decision was made on the range of measures required.

While the general objective of the Bill was acceptable, some of the provisions were a cause of some serious concern. Although she sympathised with the wish to establish conservation areas, she had serious doubts about the way, the Bill approached the issue.

The use of tax relief to support the preservation of listed buildings had merit but the question extending it to all listed buildings could only be considered by the Government in the context costing the complete package of measures to protect important buildings.

Ms McManus said the Government had a proven track record in the protection of historic buildings. Since 1995, significant financial support had been provided through the operational programme for local urban and rural development, complementing the existing programme of urban renewal, incentives.

An interdepartmental working you had reported this week on a series of extensive and detailed recommendations which would be considered by the Government.

The Bill was defeated by 61 votes to 54.