asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish projects entered for the Council of Europe 1979 Europa Nostra Awards, and the steps he is taking to encourage greater participation in this year's competition.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Europa Nostra Awards.
21.
Europa Nostra, the International Federation of Associations for the Protection of Europe's Cultural and Natural Heritage, are an independent non-governmental body who instituted in 1978 a scheme of annual awards for exceptional achievements in the conservation of the architectural and natural heritage. Though the federation have consultative status with the Council of Europe, neither they nor their awards scheme is under the aegis of the Council of Europe. My Department, therefore, have no function in relation to their activities.
I am, however, aware of the excellent work of Europa Nostra, in particular their organisation of the International Architectural Heritage Year, for which my Department provided grants and to which other Government Departments made a significant contribution.
I understand that entries for the Europa Nostra awards are not classified by country of origin and the statistics required by the Deputy are not, therefore, available. The success of the Knappogue entry in 1978 and of the Martello Mews entry in 1979 will, I hope, encourage continued Irish interest in these very worthwhile awards.
With the benefit of the knowledge which the Department have, have they taken action to inform An Taisce and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland of the existence of the award scheme and the ways in which entrants can be facilitated?
I will do that.
Perhaps the Minister did not hear my question. What action has he or his Department taken already?
I do not have the information. I presume that my Department have done that. If they have not, certainly I will advocate that they do.
Questions Nos. 22 and 23 are for written reply and Question No. 24 is postponed.