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

Yes, but what if that is in dispute?

Can the Minister of State also say how this section of the Bill protects against a situation where an administrator, liquidator or receiver claims not to have any financial resources to protect the building or protected structure, as well as not to have the resources to put in security, to protect against theft and vandalism, or to carry out the repairs that are required? In a number of cases, a situation has arisen where liquidators, receivers and financial institutions have said they do not have the resources and capacity to deal with these issues. Then, the protected structures have been vandalised, damaged and broken into. They can be subject to fire damage that can destroy them. There can be outbreaks of dry rot. There can be theft of architectural features, as well as vandalism and damage to them, including, for example, decorative ceilings, etc. All of that can happen.

The current legislation is not working. Can the Minister of State tell us what is in this Bill that will strengthen that and make it work? We have had a serious loss of important features of protected structures because the existing legislation has not worked and because it is too loose.