Survey not due to commence until 2011

Deputy Chris Andrews T.D. has today (18th June 2010) called on the Minister for Environment to seek an immediate commitment from the ESB that no decision will be taken on the future of the Poolbeg Chimney Stacks in advance of the Department of Environment carrying out a National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) survey of the Dublin city region.

Information received by Deputy Andrews revealed that this survey is not due to commence until 2011, and according to the Minister for Environment in a number of replies to Parliamentary Questions tabled by Deputy Andrews the stacks cannot be recorded as protected structures until such a survey is carried out.

Speaking today Deputy Andrews said, “The Poolbeg Chimneys are two of Dublin’s most iconic structures. I believe the social and historical significance of the chimneys is enormous and they should given protected status.”

“I would be very concerned that as the stacks have now been decommissioned and the NIAH survey of the region is not due to take place until next year, the ESB may attempt to dispose of the stacks and I believe that the Minister should seek a commitment that until the NIAH survey for the area is completed, they may not move in any way to interfere with the stacks.”