|
Mr John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage
and Local Government, has welcomed the decision by the World
Heritage Committee at its 32nd Session in Québec, to approve
a report from UNESCO on its mission to Skellig Michael World
Heritage Site.
“The findings of the report are very positive and highlight
the high standard of conservation works being undertaken by
our experts in Ireland” - said the Minister.
UNESCO undertook the mission in November, 2007 at the invitation
of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
to examine the conservation works on the monastic remains
of Skellig Michael - in light of adverse criticism at that
time and in the context of a review of the draft Management
Plan for the site.
During the mission, a UNESCO-appointed expert met with officials
from the Department and the Office of Public Works and with
interested parties who had expressed concerns regarding the
works on the island. The UNESCO mission also carried out an
on-site inspection of the conservation works on the monastic
structures on the island and presented the report to the World
Heritage Committee.
The World Heritage Committee has now formally approved the
findings of the UNESCO mission, which concluded that - 'whilst
the works have transformed the appearance of these remains,
they are justifiable and that the Outstanding Universal Value
of the site remains intact'.
The report also makes a number of recommendations in relation
to operational and management matters of the site, which have
been addressed in the Skellig Michael Management Plan 2008-2018
and which have just been published.
The Management Plan has been prepared by the DEHLG in conjunction
with the Office of Public Works (OPW) following an extensive
consultation process. “The aim of the management plan” - the
Minister said - “is to protect, conserve and promote an appreciation
of Skellig Michael World Heritage Site by putting in place
a management framework that will ensure its Outstanding Universal
Value is preserved for present and future generations.
“The Management Plan is a comprehensive document which provides
detailed information on the various aspects of the management
framework for Skellig Michael - including conservation and
presentation, visitor management and legislative protections
to protect the site into the future.”
The policies in the plan have been informed by an extensive
public consultation process. The Minister said - “I wish to
express my gratitude to all parties who have contributed to
the Skellig Michael Management Plan. The level of response
to that process reflected the desire of individuals and organisations
to ensure that the future of this World Heritage Site is safeguarded
for generations to come.”
The Management Plan has been independently evaluated by ICOMOS
international on behalf of UNESCO. Their report concludes
that - 'the plan provides a robust baseline for future
management of Skellig Michael which conforms to the requirements
of the Operational Guidelines and should ensure the sustaining
of its Outstanding Universal Values. The Action Plan is challenging
and has appropriate and measurable targets. Increased future
stakeholder participation is particularly welcome and, when
implemented, the Plan should go a long way to answer the critics
of the current management regime'.
Skellig Michael was inscribed on the World Heritage List
by UNESCO in 1996. The property is owned on behalf of the
Irish people by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage
and Local Government, who has responsibility for policy matters
relating to the built and natural heritage. The Office of
Public Works has responsibility for the management of Skellig
Michael.
Download
- UNESCO Report on the Mission to Skellig Michael -
Click
Here
[116kb]
- UNESCO Report on the Mission to Skellig Michael -
ANNEX - Click
Here
[Large File - 10.5MB]
- Skellig Michael World Heritage Site Management Plan 2008-
2018 - Click
Here
[5MB]
|
