Brady calls for includsion of Liffey Valley on UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites

Statement by Peter Brady, Fine Gael Local Election Candidate, Lucan/Palmerstown/Quarryvale.

“The Government should nominate the Liffey Valley for inclusion on the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites” says Peter Brady, Fine Gael Local Election candidate in Lucan/Palmerstown/Quarryvale.

UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. Natural heritage refers to outstanding physical, biological and geological formations, habitats of threatened species of animals and plants and areas with scientific, conservation or aesthetic value. To be included on the List of World Heritage Sites established by an international convention in 1972, a site must be nominated by a Government which has signed the convention.

"There are 754 sites on the List at the present time. Ireland has signed the Convention but has nominated only two sites for inclusion on the List; the Newgrange/Knowth/Dowth complex in Co. Meath and Skellig Mhichil in Co. Kerry." said Peter Brady "I proposed the setting up of the Liffey Valley Monitoring Committee to help protect and preserve the Liffey Valley in 1994 and support the campaign for it to be designated as a National Park."

When a cultural or natural site is placed on the List that is not the end of the story, if it is to stay on the List, the characteristics and qualities that justified its inclusion must be preserved. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre co-ordinates the mobilization of international support for emergency action when a World Heritage site is threatened. Also, individuals are encouraged to contact UNESCO if they become aware of a particular danger to a World Heritage site. Thus the inclusion of the Liffey Valley on the List of World Heritage Sites would be recognition of its value as a unique natural amenity and serve as a guarantee against it ever being eroded or undermined.

On his visit to Lucan during the Taste of Italy Festival, Gay Mitchell T.D. Fine Gael European Candidate said "I fully support the proposal to ensure that the Liffey Valley is included on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. The Liffey Valley is undoubtedly one of Dublin's finest natural amenities and should be protected and preserved for its historical and recreational value".

"The onus is now on the Government to take the initiative and propose the Liffey Valley for inclusion on the List” Peter Brady concluded.

For more information on UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) visit whc.unesco.org