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

The conventions the Irish State is party to provide the mechanism by which the Minister, the State and the government of the day can work through international co-operation with other states on the prevention of illicit import and export and the transfer and ownership of cultural property. There are good, overarching international agreements in place that support this. We have given effect to them in the legislation. That should offer what the Deputy is seeking. I know what he is saying in terms of "the Minister shall actively endeavour", but that is what is in the Bill, in effect, in the context of these two conventions in particular.