Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister mentioned that many staff might be surplus to requirement in sections of local authorities. This is the type of work that they could do and I support the Minister on that view. There are many legacy issues and work that needed to be done which was put on the long finger because of the Celtic tiger. Will the Minister issue a circular to local authorities to appoint heritage officers, deal with heritage issues within their resources and existing staff and establish a retraining programme?

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