The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA) is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for the three-year period from 2016 to 2019. The Departments Strategy Statement for the period 2016 to 2019 ‘will have a particular focus on the key commitments in the Programme for Government and the other Government strategies’.

Ireland’s cultural and natural heritage are increasingly threatened with destruction. An Taisce have outlined in their submission a range of issues and recommendations that can and need to be addressed and taken into consideration by the DAHRRGA.

Our cultural heritage has a multi-generational value, which is un-quantifiable. There needs to be a strong focus on promoting and protecting national Cultural Institutions, regional and county museums and other collections, archaeology, architectural heritage and designated landscapes.

In addition to the above, there needs to be a strong emphasis on conserving, protecting and enhancing our natural heritage. In our submission, we have outlined numerous factors that have caused degradation to Ireland’s natural heritage.

Our legal and moral obligations in relation to climate change, biodiversity loss and the environment in general have been an after thought. There now needs to be immediate action to halt further destruction on Ireland’s habitats and species, peatlands, marine ecosystems, landscapes and geological heritage. The benefits of a long-term sustainable society, through the protection of our natural heritage needs to be recognised and prioritised over short-term economic gain.

The full range of issues and recommendations raised in An Taisce’s submission can be read in the pdf.

Download the submission here.