This amendment seeks to ensure that where particular communities are affected - I have mentioned, in the past, people of particular religious faiths, and ethnic groups such as Travellers - that there would be consultation with those groups regarding something which has the potential to be included in the world heritage list. Article 5(a) of the convention indicates that each State party should "adopt a general policy which aims to give cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community, and ... i…

It could be made clearer. In a way, it would be quite simple. In section 93, the Bill goes on to give a definition of "World Heritage Property". If that was what was reflected in the language of section 92, almost as if they were the other way around, then we would be clearly talking about world heritage property. Given that the preponderance of the focus tends to be on property owners as the stakeholders, as the section simply says at the moment "matters relating to property", I am concerned that it could narrow t…

I move amendment No. 36: In page 148, after line 39, to insert the following: “ Report on alignment of development with protection and conservation 169. The Minister shall, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining a review of the proposals and objectives within the National Development Plan and their consistency with— (a) the protection and conservation of built archaeological heritage, including ringforts and their surroundings, (b) the protection and…

This amendment is quite simple and self-explanatory in what it is seeking to do. It is a report on the alignment of development with protection and conservation. The rationale for its introduction is that we know from the 2004 amendment to the National Monuments Act 1930 that there was a very large amount of destruction of our archaeological heritage and we have seen the impact that development can have when it is not adequately cognisant or careful regarding the protection and conservation of built and natural her…

Amendment No. 37 specifically focused on climate, whereas embodied carbon and climate are part of amendment No. 36. Heritage has a massive role to play. I believe this, have argued for it in the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, and it is reflected in the committee's reports. It is spoken of in a paper from Andrew Potts, which was published by the ICOMOS group. It warns that while climate change is one of the great threats to people's living environment and cultural heritage worldwide, heritage has…

I thank the Minister of State. As I have understood, he has indicated that separate from the normal post or automatic response, which tends to very much function as a "Yes" or "No" response as to whether it has been implemented and so forth, he is planning to bring forward a report and many of these matters might be reflected in it. In that context, I am happy to withdraw my amendment.

No. I would like to propose that amendments Nos. 5 and 12 be discussed separately because I am not going to move No. 5

I will not be moving it at all, so in that context, I think it would be better if amendments Nos. 5 and 12 were treated separately.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 10, line 32, after “(3)” to insert “and subsection (4) ”.

Amendment No. 6 is a technical amendment to make sure that amendment No. 9 will make sense. Amendment No. 9 adds a new subsection (4) to section 9, making sure that, "The Attorney General shall not, as a member of the Commission, play a role in the selection or recommendation of persons for appointment to judicial office in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or High Court." This would in practice mean that the Attorney General would not have a role in the commission's recommendation process for domestic judges. Thi…

To be clear, I have not removed the Attorney General altogether from the whole process and sent them out into the wilderness, which is what would come across from the contributions we heard. I am clear that the Attorney General has a role and, indeed, a political role as legal adviser to the Government. I refer to that part of the process whereby the Attorney General, as legal adviser to the Government and Cabinet, gives advice to Cabinet on a short list of candidates who have been put forward. It might be very goo…

I second the amendment.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is not simply an organisation. It has an important statutory function. It has a function to ensure human rights and equality are reflected. The Minister of State and his Department have an obligation under the IHREC legislation to ensure that human rights and equality are properly reflected in the actions and in the legislation. I do not think it is fair to say there are lots of organisations in Irish society, and I speak as a big supporter of NGOs and their role. IHRE…

I move amendment No. 9: In page 11, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: "(4) The Attorney General shall not, as a member of the Commission, play a role in the selection or recommendation of persons for appointment to judicial office in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal or High Court.".

I move amendment No. 10: In page 11, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "(5) The Minister shall, within 2 years of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas reviewing the provisions of this section in relation to membership of the Attorney General on the Commission.".

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business: "That No. 21 be taken before No. 1." The Civil Engagement Group is proposing the introduction of the Electoral Reform (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2023 to address some of the gaps in the mandate that was given to the Electoral Commission. When the 2022 Act was progressing through the House, I and colleagues raised deep concerns regarding the glaring absence of Seanad reform from the mandates and tasks being allocated to this new and very welcome comm…

I move: That leave be given to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Electoral Reform Act 2022 to provide in the functions of An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the review of the electoral system and franchise for Seanad Éireann, and to provide in the functions of An Coimisiún Toghcháin for the review of voting age; to amend the Electoral Act 1997 to protect the right to freedom of association and expression for civil society organisations in Ireland, and to provide for free public transport on polling day; and to …

Next Tuesday.

I move amendment No. 7: In page 40, line 20, after “ subsection (2) ” to insert “and (3) ”.

Amendment No. 7 is a technical amendment which just allows for the placing of amendment No. 8. Amendment No. 8 seeks to provide that, in section 17 of the Bill, where the Minister seeks to delete particulars which have been entered in the register under subsection (1), and where such a deletion would have the effect that a prescribed monument would cease to be considered as such, the Minister would first have to seek the views of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Amendment No…