Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can provide a bit of comfort, going back to Deputy O'Callaghan's point. Section 24 deals with considerations for the issuance of the national planning statement. Section 24(1) reads:

In deciding to issue and in formulating or amending a National Planning Statement under section 23, the Minister shall have regard to the desirability of setting out policy and providing guidance in relation to planning matters to support proper planning and sustainable development, including, but not limited to, the following:

[...]

(i) protection of landscapes, and features of natural, archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage of value.

It is provided for under the Bill as it is. Section 24(1)(j) refers to "protection of structures, parts of structures, or specified features of structures, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest". Section 24(1)(k) refers to "preserving the character of architectural conservation areas", and the section goes down through them. These national planning statements are ultimately to provide consistency in the application of planning guidelines. In certain cases, there is inconsistency in how they are implemented at the moment. We can agree to perhaps provide some more clarity on amendment No. 188 on Report Stage.