Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cultural Heritage and Climate Action to support greater North-South co-operation in dealing with the impacts of climate change on built and archaeological heritage across the island.

Minister Hargey said: "This is a great opportunity for my Department to co-operate with our colleagues regarding the challenges we face in relation to climate change and its implications for the historic environment.

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"My Department records, protects, conserves and promotes our historic environment and has particular responsibility for our 190 state care monuments. This is an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and ensure as best we can that our precious heritage assets are protected for future generations. Climate change is an issue we should all take seriously and is one of the key themes in my Department’s five year strategy, a central element of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth.|

On behalf of the Heritage Division of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Minister Noonan said: "Across this island we are faced with the shared challenge of protecting our irreplaceable archaeological and architectural heritage from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. This Memorandum of Understanding enables even stronger North South cooperation in order to protect this heritage and we look forward to even stronger collaboration with our friends and colleagues in Northern Ireland, sharing knowledge, experiences, data and best practice."