Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Just to be helpful. I thank the Minister of State. Before I address amendment No. 64, I think amendments Nos. 44 and 268 from Deputy Ó Broin are good. They are blunt but they are direct and would serve a useful purpose in the Bill. I cannot see how there is anything to be lost from having them, incidentally. I can see why there could be resistance to them if there is not full commitment to adhering to those conventions. That is the whole point whereas this would make it explicitly clear that we are.

Amendment No. 64 relates to prescribed monuments in Chapter 2 of the Bill. Under the subsection on prescribed monuments, the Minister may prescribe a class of relevant things with reference to any of these criteria. This amendment is to add the environment in which the relevant monument is situated to the criteria. We have had quite a discussion on the importance of the surrounding area around monuments, including landscapes and archaeological reserves. There is agreement that it is important. I cannot see any reason, given that agreement, why there would not be a wish to include this in the list of things that the Minister may prescribe as a class of relevant thing. In fact, if we do not include it in the list, surely the areas around it, under the specific definition of the Valletta Convention, would then be excluded?