asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider giving the Office of Public Works powers, where appropriate, to provide for public access to monuments which have either been declared to be national monuments, or in respect of which preservation orders have been made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to National Monuments.
21.
The Commissioners of Public Works have powers under the National Monuments Act, 1930 to provide for public access to national monuments of which they are owners or guardians. I do not consider it appropriate that they should provide for public access to any monument of which they are not the owners or guardians.
Does the Minister agree that with the provision of proper compensation it would be possible to provide such public access to national monuments on private grounds?
This is a very complex question involving the constitutional rights of farmers and others. Sometimes we have to travel through three or four fields to gain access to a monument. This will be considered in new legislation which is being prepared. Farmers are reluctant sometimes to allow people to travel over their lands.
I am not asking the Minister to take compulsory powers, but the Office of Public Works should have power to seek access rights through negotiation, and that would not involve constitutional difficulties.
All this involves constitutional rights.
Has consideration been given to the exercise of powers already in the hands of local authorities in regard to access to local authorities?
Local authorities can exercise powers.
Would the Minister in these circumstances facilitate local authorities financially?
It is a separate question. We are responsible for monuments under State care.
That is why a change in the law is necessary—that is the whole import of the question.
I have said I will be considering that aspect when preparing new legislation. The law will have to be changed.
That is not so. The powers are there.
I am afraid the Minister has a poor opinion of farmers' civic spirit. Has he approached the farmers' organisations?
I do not wish to be misquoted. I did not say that I had a poor opinion of farmers. I said we must be careful not to intrude on their constitutional rights.
Would the Minister consider providing car parks beside national monuments and if necessary buying land from local farmers for this purpose?
We are prepared to consider that in cases where the monuments are under the control of the State.