Peter Burke
Question:73. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to introduce a national monuments Bill; and the progress towards same. [39449/18]
View answerTuesday, 2 October 2018
Questions (73)
Written answers
Ireland enjoys a unique wealth and variety of archaeological monuments and sites which are a vital part of our heritage. The protection and preservation of our archaeological heritage, and the regulation of related activities, is currently provided for under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-2014.
The original 1930 Act came into being in very different times and has been frequently and significantly altered in the meantime. The resulting complex legislative framework is no longer adequately reflective of, or responsive to, today's heritage conservation priorities or the economic, social and infrastructural requirements it now has to deal with.
The new legislation will repeal the National Monuments Acts, 1930-2014 in their entirety and will create a modern consolidated legal framework designed to effectively meet the challenges of today's operating environment. I am keen to see the Bill progressing as quickly as possible and I am confident that it will provide a suitable basis for the protection of archaeological heritage that will be welcomed by stakeholders.
The Bill aims to simplify and clarify the law on protection of monuments. It will replace several complex overlapping protection mechanisms with a single Register of Monuments that will have two possible levels of protection, the highest equating to national monument status. It will provide automatic protection for newly discovered archaeological sites while also ensuring appropriate consultation with landowners in regard to proposed new entries to the Register of Monuments. It will replace the multiple forms of licenses and consents under existing Acts with an integrated licensing system for relevant works and other regulated activities. Clear criteria and procedures for dealing with license applications, including the social and economic impact of decisions to either grant or refuse a license, will be set out. A statutory right of appeal with respect to decisions on whether to grant a license will be introduced for the first time. It will also allow the State to ratify key international conventions in the area of heritage protection.
The Bill represents an important measure of regulatory reform that will benefit all parties, including landowners, developers and heritage professionals, while at the same time enhancing protection of our archaeological heritage. Drafting of the Bill is now at an advanced stage. My Department is currently engaged in a consultation programme with relevant Government departments and state bodies which I expect to completed shortly. I then intend to introduce the Bill to the Oireachtas once Pre-Legislative Scrutiny has been completed by the relevant Business Committee.
I am pleased with the recent progress that has been achieved with the drafting of the new Bill, which is a very substantial body of work. It will, when enacted, completely update and streamline our monuments legislation and provide an effective framework for meeting social and economic needs while also protecting our invaluable archaeological heritage.