473. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which his Department plans to support Dublin City Council’s passed motion to seek UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for the culture of The Liberties, Dublin 8, to hold and protect the characteristics and memories of our city’s working-class traditions in addition to our industrial, historical and social heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69769/25]

In December 2015, Ireland ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which aims to safeguard, appreciate and raise awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) while also providing for international cooperation and assistance in this area.

As required under the Convention, Ireland maintains a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which to-date includes over 40 inscribed ICH practices from communities around the country. The National Inventory aims to safeguard and raise awareness of Ireland’s intangible cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally.

I note Dublin City Council’s intention to seek Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for the culture of The Liberties, on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Culture of Humanity. There is a two-step process to applying for inscription on the UNESCO list. Under UNESCO criteria, a practice must be inscribed on Ireland's National Inventory before it can be put forward for UNESCO recognition.

My Department accepts applications for inscription to the National Inventory on an ongoing basis. Full information on Ireland’s National Inventory and how to apply for inscription can be found at: https://nationalinventoryich.ccs.gov.ie/national-inventory/.

Practices and living cultural heritage elements listed on Ireland’s National Inventory can seek nomination by the State for inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, to which Ireland is entitled to make a maximum of one nomination per year.

Should a practice inscribed on Ireland’s National Inventory of ICH wish to be considered for nomination to the UNESCO Representative List, it would first need to be considered by Ireland’s Expert Advisory Committee on ICH, which then makes a recommendation to the Minister of Culture for decision.

To date, Ireland has also been successful in having five elements of our living heritage inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Uilleann Piping; Hurling , Irish Harping, Falconry, and Dry Stone Construction.