AN EXPERT advisory group has been set up by Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley to review the current list of potential World Heritage Sites in Ireland, known as the Tentative List (of potential nominees as World Heritage Sites).
They are to submit a new Tentative List to him by spring of next year. The existing Tentative List of proposed sites dates back to 1992.
At present Ireland has two World Heritage Sites inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List. Brú Na Bóinne in Co Meath was inscribed in 1993 and Skellig Michael, Co Kerry in 1996.
Ireland ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1991 and undertook the responsibility of protecting and conserving both national and international world heritage sites, and of maintaining a Tentative List of potential sites for World Heritage Site nomination.
It also undertook to nominate national heritage sites on this list to the World Heritage Committee for World Heritage listing.
As part of the public consultation process prior to preparing the Tentative List, interested parties and individuals are invited to request a copy of the current Tentative List and World Heritage Status.
It is available from the department as guidance to people in making submissions on proposed sites for inclusion on Ireland's Tentative List of potential nominees as World Heritage Sites.
These must have unique outstanding universal value and not just be of value in an Irish context.
Details www.environ.ie submissions by Friday January 30th.
