Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I do not have the figures to hand. We have seen a marked change in our general relationship with our built and archaeological heritage. Certainly, a lot of it is underpinned in Government policy through Heritage Ireland 2030. It is underpinned through the work of the National Monuments Service. That has been reflected and I have seen it over the last couple of years, particularly as we developed the community monuments fund, bringing a very modest fund from €600,000 in 2020 to €8 million this year, supporting a huge range of projects across the country. There is a need for the provision of professional archaeological services in-house in local authorities. Across Government, we have been trying to bolster the in-house resources within local government. That is important too. The new amendments proposed here today will enable the Heritage Council to consult with public bodies and persons. As I said, I believe that enhanced role of the Heritage Council in respect of this Bill is what the Deputy is seeking to achieve, but it will be within the Heritage Council because it has the role and remit to do that. We are looking back on historical issues in terms of the preservation of monuments in situ. Through this Bill, we have an opportunity to strengthen those protections and have that role for the Heritage Council, which I think is going to be really important.