Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

270 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the proposals, if any, for legislation being prepared under the auspices of her Department that have not yet been published; and the statutory instruments, if any, being prepared in her Department. [13985/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The following is the position on legislation.The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, which will, inter alia, amend certain of the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1976, is at an advanced stage of preparation and I hope to publish it in the autumn. The heads of a National Parks and Historic Properties Bill, the purpose of which is to afford protection to national parks, gardens and historic properties, are also being prepared in my Department.

With regard to broadcasting, I intend to bring forward two Bills, details of which I gave to the House in my reply to Question No. 26 of 5 February last. These Bills are currently being prepared by my Department.

A National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Bill is currently being prepared and I hope to publish it in the autumn. The Bill will, inter alia, place the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, which is being undertaken by Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department, on a statutory basis.

A Language Bill — Bille na Gaeilge — to provide a framework for the delivery of State services bilingually or through the medium of the Irish language is currently in preparation. An amendment to the Údarás na Gaeltachta Act, 1979, to provide for statutory regional boards, revised electoral areas, number of elected members and other matters is also being considered. However, a final decision on this will not be made until a submission requested from Údarás na Gaeltachta has been received. I am also having examined the question of whether the Údarás na Gaeltachta Elections Regulations need to be further amended and/or consolidated. Preparation of an amendment to the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts is also in hand.

A statutory instrument is being prepared to implement Council Directive No. 97/62/EC of 27 October 1997, adapting to technical and scientific progress Council Directive No. 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, known as the "Habitats Directive". The new Directive replaces Annexes I and II of the Habitats Directive and will be implemented by means of a proposed statutory instrument to amend the European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. With regard to the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, I also refer the Deputy to my written reply to today's Question No. 271.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

271 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the Acts and provisions of Acts under the auspices of her Department which, as of 1 June 1998, are not in force because a commencement order has not been made; whether it is proposed to make an order in each case; and, if so, when this will be made. [14000/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Two Acts are relevant in the context referred to by the Deputy. National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997: the principal objective of this Act is to accord the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland autonomy in accordance with the provisions of Part II of that Act. Work is ongoing in my Department and in the institutions so as to enable this part of the Act to be brought into force efficiently and effectively. I expect that the commencement orders relating to this Part of the Act will be made in the course of 1999. The other provisions in the Act either have been or will be brought into force as required and as appropriate.

National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987: a commencement order is being prepared pursuant to section 27 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987, which will have the effect of repealing section 21 of the National Monuments Act, 1930, which established the National Monuments Advisory Council, and section 15 of the National Monuments Act, 1954, which provided for the composition of the National Monuments Advisory Council. The Heritage Council has effectively subsumed the functions of the former National Monuments Advisory Council.