An Taisce & A National Trust

Duchas has been abolished… could it not have been retained and used for something like this?

An taisce should not be given this role – there are too many conflicting interests for such an idea to be successful.

I am not sure that I like the idea of An Taisce as presently consituted and run being the responsible Heritage Trust for Ireland but the fact is they do seem to have some legal status as a heritage body. I also have to wonder at the short sightedness of out Beloved Leader in abolishing the previous department and organisations (ie Duchas and Arts Culture and Heritage) and now proposing to reconsistute them as a Heritage Trust…. all of 2 years later!

When Arts Culture & Heritage was first set up in 1992 (by Labour) it was hailed as the beginning of a serious attempt to give heritage protection a place in Irish policy making. It really should have been left alone but unfortunately there only 15 boyos who can sit around the table and only so far those portfolios go. It would be highly desirable to have a heritage trust back on a firmer footing….bring back Duchas

I’ve always been amazed at how a Heritage/National Trust never developed in this country.
Why?
Has An Taisce always been deemed as fulfilling the role by Goverment and conservation bodies?

The ‘advisory’ role of An Taisce to Government is a most bizarre and half-hearted legislative set-up.

Its something they continuosly bring up when there are objections and planning disputes etc – the fact that they must raise these issues in their statutory role.

I have no idea why one was never formed before. Perhaps because the Georgian Society and other small groups were saving individual houses.

There is a lot more to a National Trust than big houses and as such the idea of a single body being granted formal National Trust status is inherently flawed, it must be given to a Trust with experience of all aspects of Built and Natural Heritage including physical management, advocacy and monitoring proscribed applications. A structure that will take all the other stakeholders on board and give them a say in how the National Trust is run, this is including stakeholders at both a local and national level.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland.htm

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-places_visit.htm

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-countryside_environment.htm

That is a National Trust and they are affiliated directly to the National Trust For Ireland they do not recognise Historic Scotland but are fully affiliated to the National Trust For Scotland.

The last thing Ireland needs is a narrowly focussed trust that is deficient in any of the above areas; we need a National Trust

@Thomond Park wrote:

it must be given to a Trust with experience of all aspects of Built and Natural Heritage including physical management, advocacy and monitoring proscribed applications.

A body distinct from An Taisce do you mean – or do you think they can fulfill this role?
I wonder does the majority of AT want to fulfill this role, or remain as they are?

The structure proposed by An Taisce I understand involves all the relevant stakeholders who will then be responsible for the specific areas, this co-responsibility through a new and seperate body of which An Taisce would be the largest grouping within would allow An Taisce to continue and expand its existing programmes as relevant. The assembled coalition is impressive and if established it would be one of the broadest ranging trusts in the World given the specialist expertise in every relevant area.

There is very broad support for the structure Trust in An Taisce from what I understand with many very excited by the prospect of statutory recognition being extended from being a proscribed body and property holder to a National Trust underpinned by modern legislation.