Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I understand that but it is such an important area. We are dependent on landowners to protect these. As was mentioned earlier, as the State cannot protect 180,000 or 200,000 national monuments, we owe those landowners, the holders of the monuments, a debt of gratitude but we also need to ensure there is no doubt in their minds whatever. While the Department or Minister may issue such guidelines, it is crucial it is there, whether it is in the primary legislation or otherwise, and it has to be updated on an ongoing basis so that landowners are left in no doubt as to their duties towards the national monuments that have been already identified and they are in no doubt about their role and the supports they can get. That is important if they are looking for advice, especially since, in the near future, farmers may change their agriculture methods or what they have practised for hundreds of years.

If they change because of climate or because the market changes, it is important they do not feel under pressure to interfere with a monument, as has happened. The vast majority are more appreciative of the natural context in which those monuments exist. Over centuries those national monuments have often been protected by superstition. The superstition is probably purposeful, as a protection for ancient burial grounds and so forth, to ensure people have respect for the past. That is the nature of our history.

I will not press this amendment but it is important. It is almost as important as everything else, given the number of our national monuments that are hidden or buried. That is key to much of this. We must ensure destruction does not happen inadvertently, or in some cases on purpose. There should not be any doubt in anyone's mind what their role is.