Planning objections to fall as Dúchas shuts down
Points raised by Dúchas are frequently cited by local authorities in rejecting or limiting planning permission for developments.
Although Dúchas was merely a section of the Department of Environment and Local Government, it predominantly operated like a separate independent agency.
Environment Minister Martin Cullen announced the abolition of the heritage agency last week with its functions to be taken over by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Office of Public Works.
The Department of the Environment heritage section will now take responsibility for both policy and operational matters relating to the country's natural heritage.
The change will see a more co-ordinated approach taken by the heritage section, as Dúchas policies occasionally contradicted development decisions by Government departments.
Dúchas' responsibilities included protecting sites of archaeological, environmental or wildlife significance. Situations did emerge where road building or housing development, proposed by Government departments, were actually being opposed by Dúchas another arm of the State. However, a spokesman for Mr Cullen said the Department will continue to give its views on development matters, feed into the planning process.
"The Heritage Section of the Department will still play a significant part in the development process," the spokesman said.
Environmental groups and opposition parties have expressed grave concerns about the loss of Dúchas with its perceived autonomy.
An Taisce described the abolition of Dúchas as a retrograde step which ignored international best practice.
An Taisce estimates that around 1,500 recorded monuments and other areas of archaeological significance are being destroyed every year.
"At best this can be described as a pathological disregard for an otherwise unique pool of wealth: archaeology and heritage are not a renewable resource," a spokesman said.
As opposed to dealing with heritage protection, the new system will take away the advantage of centralised authority and accountability, resulting in the breakdown of any chance of ensuring satisfactory protection of Ireland's heritage, An Taisce says.
Fine Gael environment spokesman Bernard Allen warned the break-up of Dúchas will cause long term damage to the country and contradicted the Government's own heritage plan.
Labour environment spokesman Eamonn Gilmore also criticised the move saying the Government has ignored a number of commitments it made on the protection of heritage.
