Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

We all do that from time to time. Much of the book describes his travels around the county visiting old national monuments, old stones and high crosses. He describes in graphic detail what he has to do to find these places — go up boreens, over mountains, through woods, etc. It is an interesting read and demonstrates the abundance of archaeological treasures we have throughout the country. Kerry is only one example. Tom Barrington's book Discovering Kerry takes stock of archaeology in Kerry, among other matters, and is an example of how much is available on our doorstep. It demonstrates how important it is to ensure we protect our national heritage.

We need to consider the connection between our education system and our national heritage. Children, particularly in primary schools, should be encouraged to examine what is on their doorstep and what they pass by on their way to school. While there has been some flexibility in our education system in recent years, it is important to ensure the curriculum includes local archaeology so children know what is on their doorstep and acquire some concept of their heritage.

This Bill deals essentially with the Carrickmines issue. As a Dublin Deputy and a former Dublin city councillor I have not been involved in the planning for this particular project. However, my observations of the situation lead me to believe the planning of this project is not a shining example of how a major infrastructural project should be implemented. The litany of errors made on the project has been well documented. Delay after delay was the order of the day. We need to examine the legalities of such road projects and review how we build our motorways and roads.

Legislation is promised to fast-track infrastructural projects. The Carrickmines situation demonstrates the need for such legislation, particularly in the context of roads, but we must be careful about its introduction. We must have procedures in place for serious and adequate consultation and the legislation must have provisions which ensure local democracy.

This raises the essential dilemma referred to by other speakers. The unprecedented economic growth of recent years has made it clear that there is a conflict between the need to facilitate economic development and the need to protect our archaeological heritage. We must get the balance right. The Minister would need the wisdom of Solomon to do so. Achieving the balance will always be difficult, as we have seen in today's debate. Some people believe the Minister is taking too much power onto himself in the Bill and promised legislation while others feel there has been too much lethargy in the planning of such infrastructural projects.

I must make a case for the completion of the M50 and the south-eastern route. This road must be completed. We have often heard that all politics are local. I have listened to many of my constituents on Dublin's northside who are fond of holidaying in County Wexford in places such as Kilmuckridge, Rosslare, Courtown Harbour and elsewhere. The bottleneck on the route is of great concern to them. The particular people who have highlighted the problem to me are holidaymakers. The M50, however, is important for all sorts of people and for the economic life of the city. We have had enough delays on this issue. This Bill is necessary in order to ensure the project is completed and I hope it has a speedy passage through both Houses.

I was interested to read that there were protests at the gate of Leinster House yesterday with regard to this Bill and I read carefully what the protesters were saying. They believe that in the context of this Bill the Minister is taking too much power upon himself with regard to national monuments. Nevertheless, I was of the opinion that the existing National Monuments Acts always provided the power to consent to the interference with or removal of a national monument. I understand, therefore, that no major additional powers are being given to the Minister in this Bill and I hope he will give me an assurance on that.

I want to raise an issue which is of concern to me in a local context and to make a suggestion which I hope the Minister will take on board. In 1981 some 48 young people tragically lost their lives in the Stardust fire in Artane. After coming to terms with that terrible tragedy, the Stardust victims' committee took it upon itself to pursue a number of issues arising from that disaster. In December 1991, Dublin Corporation, as it was then known, invited artists to make submissions for the provision of a sculpture for the proposed memorial to be constructed in the Stardust memorial park in Coolock. In all, nine submissions were received and the winning entry was submitted by Robin Buick of Monkstown, County Dublin. The final selection was made by the public art advisory group of Dublin City Council in association with the Stardust victims' committee.

Dublin City Council has provided a major park in Coolock, known as the Stardust Memorial Park. In a section of that park there is a memorial to the Stardust victims and a piece of sculpture has been erected there. This section of the park is a beautiful place of reflection and is a commemoration of the Stardust victims. I suggest this place should be designated as a national monument to commemorate all victims of fire tragedies throughout the country, a national monument, so to speak. The families of the victims of the Stardust fire would welcome such an action. The Stardust victims' committee has a long agenda of issues which it wishes to pursue to ensure such fires never happen again. The families would be very pleased if this garden were designated as some form of national monument. I am not clear whether it can be done in the context of this Bill.

I ask the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to examine this proposal as he also has overall responsibility for the fire services. This is not an old monument as it is a relatively new place which has been constructed by Dublin City Council. Within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, there should be scope to advance this proposal further and to make the Stardust Memorial Park and, in particular, the monument therein a national monument to commemorate the victims of fire tragedies throughout the country. I will pursue the matter with the Minister perhaps in the context of the second national monuments Bill which is promised or in the context of other legislation dealing with fire safety and fire legislation generally.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment on this Bill which Dubliners will welcome. They wish to see the M50 completed. The balance between economic development and the need to protect our archaeological history is recognised by the Minister in this legislation and in existing and future legislation. It is a difficult balance to achieve. There are many competing and vested interests. The Minister will need the wisdom of Solomon to sort out all the conflicts. I believe the balance has been achieved. I wish this Bill a speedy passage through the Oireachtas.

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