Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For the past three years, I have been pushing a new national monuments Bill. Due to competition from other legislation, especially financial Bills, it has not made the progress I would have liked. It is now almost ready and we are going through the second draft. Hopefully, I will be able to introduce it in September. Then the Deputy will have an opportunity to make an input.

As regards present planning guidelines, there are regional planning guidelines. Every local authority has a development plan which comes up for renewal every six years. My Department then has an opportunity to contribute to them. There is a list of protected structures for each county, as well as a strategic environmental assessment.

I insisted several measures be taken before I gave permission for development around the national monument in Moore Street.

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