Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too am delighted to be able to speak on this important Bill. I wish the Minister of State well with it and there is a huge job of work to be done. The Historical and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 will replace the National Monuments Act 1930, and subsequent amending Acts. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for heritage and electoral reform, Deputy Noonan, described the publication of this Bill as "a major milestone in making Ireland's historic heritage protections fit for the 21st Century." He added: "The work involved in revising and updating the 1930 Act has been substantial". The Bill proposes that a civil enforcement system be used as an alternative to, or to supplement, criminal proceedings.

I spoke to the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, about Knocklofty House Hotel in the past. It is a wonderful period mansion that was owned by the late Lord Donoughmore and the Donoughmore family. I mention the time of the atrocities of the War of Independence and the Black and Tans. I will not do like President Biden, when he mentioned the rugby players and he came up with the Black and Tans. I am talking about the real people who fought the Black and Tans and my late father was one of them. Lord Donoughmore allowed them to dwell-----

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