Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. Sometimes the committee is dominated by the housing issues that are crucial for many people. It is fantastic to have time to dedicate to the heritage part of the portfolio, particularly in the context of new legislation being proposed.

I will use two sites as examples. The Minister of State might explain how the proposed legislation may benefit the protection of these two monuments. I do not expect the Minister of State to have all of the specific details. The national monument on Moore Street is a very important site and it is the national monument that is most referred to. Dublin City Council has given permission for development in the curtilage of the national monument. There is also the battlefield site. Will the Minister of State use these sites to explain some of the benefits of the new legislation? How will such sites be protected? There was a huge campaign by civic society to protect not only the core headquarters but also the surrounding buildings and laneways. Will the Minister of State use these sites as an example to speak about the benefits of the legislation? How will the Bill protect other sites? Does the Minister of State have comments on the specifics of how we will protect Moore Street and the plans to roll out the opening of an interpretive centre there?