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

Again, the Deputy has made valid points. We have all seen cases. Wood Quay is often mentioned but there are many more in all our towns. All our counties could cite examples. I accept that. On the checks and balances, the advice of the Heritage Council is a good mechanism. To add to that, the legislation states:

(7) The Minister shall, in forming an opinion for the purposes of subsection (3) about a prescribed monument or relevant thing of a relevant interest...

In this the Minister of the day should have regard to:

(a) the level of archaeological, architectural, artistic, historic or traditional interest of the monument or thing;

On Report Stage, we could explore the possibility of requiring the Minister to give reasons for not accepting the advice of the Heritage Council, if that would give an added-----