Michael Noonan
Ceist:340 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her Department's legislative programme for the first half of 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4086/02]
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
The timetable for legislation in areas under my remit is as set out in the Government legislative programme for the spring session, which was published on 29 January last. In accordance with that programme, work is under way on four Bills at present. The arts Bill will update the relationship between the State and the arts sector, in particular the Arts Council. The general scheme of the Bill has been approved by Government and a parliamentary counsel has been appointed. It is expected that the Bill will be published in the present session. The official languages equality Bill will provide a framework for the delivery of State services bilingually or through the medium of the Irish language. The general scheme of the Bill has also been approved by Government. While the Government legislative programme envisages that this Bill will be published by mid-year, efforts are under way at present to seek to advance that timetable.
Two other Bills are also scheduled for publication this year, a national monuments Bill and a Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (powers and functions) Bill. The national monuments Bill, which is based on a review of the national monuments Acts 1930 to 1994 and related legislation, will lead to consolidated and, where appropriate, revised and extended legislation for the protection of the archaeological, architectural and historic heritage. The primary purpose of the proposed powers and functions Bill is to clarify the extent of the Minister's powers and functions in relation to by-laws and regulations relating to properties in the care or ownership of the Minister. In both cases, the general scheme of the Bill has been approved by Government and submitted to the Attorney General's office for drafting.