Vol. 525 No. 5
103 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made to date in the review of the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1994; when the consolidated national monuments Bill will be produced and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25585/00]
The Deputy will be aware that at the end of last year I initiated a process of public consultation on the review and consolidation of the National Monuments Acts, 1930 to 1994. This process was completed earlier this year and my Department has evaluated the submissions received. A significant range of issues has arisen through the public consultation process and the internal departmental review. I have decided to publish an outline of the issues and this document will be available shortly. It will clarify the matters involved for the public as well as illustrating the scale and complexity of this task.
As I have stated before, it is my intention that the process will involve the consolidation of national monuments legislation as well as its revision and extension to ensure the protection of the archaeological, architectural and historic heritage. I plan to bring draft proposals for legislation to the Cabinet during the first half of 2001.
