Ulick Burke
Ceist:342 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has for legislation and the stages of progress related to each. [25830/00]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)
The information requested by the Deputy follows. During my term of office, the following legislation has also been enacted: Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act, 1997; Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998; Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act, 1999; Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and Historic Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999; Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1999; Broadcasting (Major Events Coverage) Act, 1999.
Bills published and in the course of enactment: Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, 1999 – this Bill will commence Committee Stage in the Dáil on 15 November 2000; Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999 – the Bill has passed all Stages in the Dáil and Second Stage is to be taken in the Seanad on Thursday, 16 November 2000; Irish Film Board (Amendment) Bill, 2000 – the Bill has passed all Stages in the Seanad and is at Second Stage in the Dáil; Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Bill, 2000 – this Bill was published on 24 October 2000 and it is hoped to introduce it to the Dáil later this month. Bills in preparation: Official Languages Equality Bill – the general scheme of this Bill is being prepared at present with the intention of circulating it to Departments for their observations by the end of this month. It is hoped to submit the scheme to the Government in January for approval. The Bill would then have to be drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government. It is hoped to publish the Bill by mid-year 2001; Heritage Fund Bill – drafting of the heads of the Bill is at an advanced stage and it is hoped to have them ready for circulation to other Departments shortly. While it is difficult to give a precise timeframe for the completion of the legislative process in this regard, I am hopeful that the necessary legislation will be finalised early in 2001. Legislative reviews: review of arts legislation – the review of arts legislation has progressed rapidly with the completion of a public consultation process late last month. Some 230 submissions were received and are being assessed. It is hoped that the draft heads of a new arts Bill will be ready for Government consideration in 2001; review of National Monuments Acts – the review of the national monuments legislation is well under way and it is envisaged that the draft heads of a Bill will be ready in the first half of 2001.