Dúchas
Encyclopedia
Dúchas – The Heritage Service was the Irish
State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties. It was established under the Heritage Act 1995 and took over responsibility for the management of national parks and wildlife from the Office of Public Works
(OPW). It was an executive agency
of the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (1997–2002).
It was abolished in 2003. Its status as an executive agency gave it no separate legal existence and it could be easily abolished without primary legislation
. Most of its functions were transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, where they became the National Parks and Wildlife Service
. Some others reverted to being OPW functions.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
State body responsible for national monuments and historic properties. It was established under the Heritage Act 1995 and took over responsibility for the management of national parks and wildlife from the Office of Public Works
Office of Public Works
The Office of Public Works is a State Agency of the Department of Finance in the Republic of Ireland...
(OPW). It was an executive agency
Executive agency
An executive agency, also known as a next-step agency, is a part of a government department that is treated as managerially and budgetarily separate in order to carry out some part of the executive functions of the United Kingdom government, Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly or Northern Ireland...
of the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (1997–2002).
It was abolished in 2003. Its status as an executive agency gave it no separate legal existence and it could be easily abolished without primary legislation
Primary legislation
Primary legislation is law made by the legislative branch of government. This contrasts with secondary legislation, which is usually made by the executive branch...
. Most of its functions were transferred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, where they became the National Parks and Wildlife Service
National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service manages the Irish State's nature conservation responsibilities. It is part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government....
. Some others reverted to being OPW functions.