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

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I am not clear as to why he does not want to accept my amendment. I have put forward a very strong case as to why, in limited circumstances and in particular significant historic battlefield sites like the site of the Battle of Aughrim, this would be very good practice given it is of great historic and cultural value not just to us but to those in other jurisdictions. Why should we not put in this good practice of sharing information with another jurisdiction? If it is of particular value to them and if it is proposed to do something significant to it, is it not only right that those in other jurisdictions should be able to have a say on this?

These are international battlefield sites which are highly sensitive in terms of different histories and different traditions. As a country, we have come a long way in respecting the different traditions we have on this island. It makes eminent sense to have something like this. It is not an onerous suggestion. I ask the Minister of State to tell me why he thinks it would be a bad idea, particularly given the experience in 2005 where this was not done and required an intervention from the First Minister. Why would we not seek to do this in future? Why does the Minister of State believe this is not good practice or a good suggestion?