Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
3006. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of reviews carried out by her Department pursuant to Standing Order 164A of Dáil Éireann; the pieces of legislation to which each review refers; the number and title of each piece of legislation in respect of which a review pursuant to Standing Order 164A has not been undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31626/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraPost-enactment reports as referenced in Standing Orders of both Houses of the Oireachtas serve as a review of the functioning of an Act twelve months following the enactment of a Bill. The Government’s support for this process is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government 2016.
My Department has been responsible for six Acts passed by the Oireachtas since 2011:
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2012, extended arrangements set out in the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 regarding provisions that deemed all holders of valid firearm certificates issued for shotguns between August 1st 2009 and July 31st 2012 to be the holders of a hunting licence under the Wildlife Acts for the purposes of hunting game bird and hare species. Given that the practical effect of this change was considered minimal it has not been considered necessary to undertake a post enactment report.
An tAcht na Gaeltachta 2012, provided for the introduction of a language planning process, primarily in Gaeltacht areas, as set out in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and for changes in the size of, and method of appointment of members to, the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. As the full impact of both of these provisions would only become fully evident over the course of an extended period the appropriate timing for the undertaking of a Post Enactment Report of this Act remains under consideration.
The purpose of the National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Act 2015 was to place the National Concert Hall on a statutory footing and provide for appropriate reporting and accounting to the Minister and onwards to the Oireachtas, while not impinging on curatorial independence. I am advised that a post enactment report in respect of this legislation was lodged in the Oireachtas library on Monday 15 July 2019.
My Department is also responsible for the National Archives (Amendment) Act 2018, the Heritage Act 2018, and the Irish Film Board (Amendment) Act 2018 all of which were enacted in 2018. The conduct of post enactment reports in respect of these Acts will be considered in due course.
