Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support this Bill, along with the rest of the Rural Independent Group. We know the importance of this Bill to protect our property and cultural heritage. I have seen at first hand through visiting the Middle East the destruction of cultural property such as all kinds of churches and mosques. I am not speaking on behalf of any religion.

The sad part about the conflict in the Middle East is that under the so-called dictators, such as Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, people were allowed to practise different religions with impunity, including Christian and different Muslim sects such as Sunni Islam. Now there is rape and plunder of all those sacred buildings and the destruction has resulted in an awful loss of treasure to the world. The legislation is necessary and timely.

See this speech in context