Mr. Brian Keaney:

The issue of resources, be it in the planning departments or with conservation officers or archaeologists, is critical. I think we all welcome the legislation because it will streamline, as we discussed earlier, the processes surrounding the designation of sites. From a planning point of view, it is a matter of greater clarity on the licensing process and its relationship with the planning consents. All of that is most welcome. There will be a consequential impact in the sense that if more and more sites are brought into a consent process, there has to be greater expertise.

In the area of archaeology, in my current role I have spoken to my colleague in Dublin City Council. I think there are six or maybe seven city archaeologists around the country and they all have various roles. Outside of the city councils, we are effectively relying on the expertise in the Department. It is a big issue and should probably be addressed more broadly by the Department, but it is important the committee is aware that there will be a greater resource requirement there, particularly in the area of archaeology.

As for conservation, my understanding from my role in local government is that most local authorities in the urban areas have conservation officers. Again, once one moves out of the urban areas, I think the coverage becomes a lot patchier. Then we also have heritage officers, who perform an important role. I think they are represented across nearly all our local authorities. As Deputy Duffy says, this shines a light on how we as a society value our heritage, be that archaeology, built heritage or natural heritage. The issue then is how resources are addressed. The enactment of this legislation will generate demand at local authority level. The Irish Planning Institute relies on the expertise of our archaeologists, conservation officers and heritage officers as part of both the plan-making exercise and the development management process, as with the private sector, members of the institute, An Bord Pleanála, the semi-State sector etc. They are a vital cog in the whole policy apparatus of the State.