I move amendment No. 12: In page 22, line 36, to delete “ground” and substitute “grounds”.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I move amendment No. 14: In page 23, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following: “ “battlefield” includes— (a) any area or areas (to the extent (if any) that it or they can be both identified and geographically defined) where the majority of the combat (including any significant military engagement) or related activities of a battle took place, and (b) any sites or places directly associated with the conduct, command or direction of a battle (including any signifi…

I will first respond to Deputy Sherlock's initial query in relation to landscapes and the Labour Party amendment. The landscape designation is provided for in the planning and development legislation. The Deputy mentioned specifically the Valetta Convention and there is no mention of landscape in the convention. What we are doing here provides extra protection for surrounding areas as well. Amendment No. 28 confuses two separate things: the locations where monuments can be and what can be monuments. There is that d…

I apologise to Deputy Sherlock if I have caused confusion by my confusion. Amendment No. 28 deals with landscape. As I said, landscape designation areas are already in the Planning and Development Act - I think it is section 274. Amendment No. 28 deals with locations, landscape areas, where a monument could be located rather than the monuments themselves which the Bill intends to protect. I hope that clears that up. There is already a level of protection for landscapes in the planning and development legislation, w…

As I stated on Committee Stage, I fully endorse and support every effort to promote the use and status of the Irish language. My officials engaged with the Parliamentary Counsel on this matter. The approach considered under amendments Nos. 15, 17, 18, 20, 51 and 159 is, unfortunately, considered to be most unorthodox and introduces legal risks and discrepancies across the Statute Book. Given the concerns raised and the lack of time available to delve more deeply into these issues, I must adhere to the existing lega…

I appreciate the concerns brought forward by the Deputy on this. There has been inconsistency. I appreciate the fact the Deputy accepts the Government's intention on this.

I move amendment No. 19: In page 23, line 28, after “literary” to insert “, linguistic”.

I again thank the Deputy for his proposals outlined in amendments Nos. 25, 26 and 72, but I ask him to consider withdrawing them as I intend to propose a range of amendments relating to the use of national and local newspapers for the purposes of section 18 general list notices in either hard copy or electronic format. Amendment No. 71, unfortunately, is not considered workable. As mentioned on Committee Stage, the anticipated size of the register of monuments is an important factor here, as well as the already com…

I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. There is such a plethora of information-sharing platforms. In many cases, the way people get their information nowadays is changing dramatically. Thankfully, there is still generally quite a good readership of local newspapers, especially in rural areas, as the Deputy said. I have given a commitment to, and we are proposing, a range of amendments relating to the use of local and national newspapers in the context of section 18 and the general list notice. Separately, I take o…

I again thank the Deputy for this proposal. I confirm that I will propose significant amendments directly to the terminology used in section 173 to provide for this amendment. Accordingly, I ask the Deputy to consider withdrawing it. Specifically on amendments Nos. 186 and 187, following on from Deputy Ó Snodaigh’s proposed amendment, amendments Nos.186 and 187 delete the term “relevant thing” from section 173 and replace it with the term “relevant item” instead.

I move amendment No. 29: In page 30, line 1, after “place” to insert “, including any other site directly associated with that event”.

I move amendment No. 31: In page 30, between lines 1 and 2, to insert the following: “(f) any battlefield;”

I thank the Deputy for the good intention behind this amendment. I wholeheartedly agree we all have a duty to protect our heritage. As has been confirmed multiple times during the Bill's passage through the Oireachtas, the enacted Bill will not only give effect to many aspects of the Valletta Convention, but it is the main vehicle the State will use to give effect to the convention. It goes beyond what the convention requires in respect of archaeological heritage. I ask the Deputy to consider the scope of the Bill,…

I recall our discussions on the public access issue, although that is obviously not within the scope of this Bill. To reiterate, I am confident the Bill addresses much of what the Valletta Convention asks signatory nations to set out to achieve. Critically, the Bill will strengthen the protection of our heritage. That is significant.

With the indulgence of An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, I will deal with the constituency issues first before I speak to the amendments. On the points raised by Deputy Cronin in respect of the Obelisk, it is a good time for me to advertise some of the grant schemes in our Department and, in particular, the community monuments fund and built heritage grant schemes. They will be coming back into effect over the next couple of months. They have been hugely impactful schemes that have helped communities and custodians of bu…

No.

I move amendment No. 37: In page 32, line 29, after “provisions” to insert “of”.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist tábhachtach seo. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue so that I can answer on behalf of our Department and for outlining the very real concerns he has put forward on behalf of the businesses in Clonmel. It is a town I am very familiar with as a former student of Tipperary Institute on the campus in the town. It is a town that is doing great work to revitalise its town centre, as the Deputy said, and this poses a great challenge to it. The provision of wastewater an…

Absolutely.

I agree wholeheartedly. In fairness to Uisce Éireann, it has engaged on this issue. My understanding is that there has been a comprehensive written update issued to all local public representatives this month, setting out-----