Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I certainly am.

It is vital we protect and conserve our historic and archaeological heritage. I am a proud Carlow woman and come from a county that is rich in archaeological and historical heritage. We have the largest capstone in Europe, which is on a megalithic portal tomb, the Brownshill Dolmen, and which is where we got our name, the dolmen county. We also have sites such as St. Mullin's, Ballymoon Castle, Harristown Dolmen, and the Carlow walls. This is really important information. Carlow Castle served as the capital of the lordship of Ireland from 1361 until 1374. That is really important and is part of our heritage. Monuments and archaeological sites are among the most significant examples of our historic heritage. They are not only a window into the past but they are a keystone of our present tourism strategy. In Carlow, tourism plays a huge role. We are always promoting tourism in Carlow as it is so important. These are landmarks for future generations and we really want to preserve the past properly.

As currently drafted, the Bill provides for regulations that will set out classes of different structures and sites of archaeological interest. These will become known as "prescribed monuments". This approach will ensure newly-discovered archaeological sites are afforded immediate legal protection in a manner already provided for archaeological objects or historic wrecks, which are automatically protected without a need for formal designation or registration. However, it is important to ensure the regulations are not restricted solely to sites of archaeological interest, while continuing to ensure the provision is workable and reasonable by requiring that only categories appropriate to be prescribed monuments are included. That was something that was brought to my attention recently.

I also welcome the new statutory reporting scheme for finds of monuments. Where a person finds or believes they have found a prescribed monument, they will then have to make a report to the Minister or to a member of An Garda Síochána. We can then preserve that site properly. It is also important that registered monuments in the ownership of the Minister or a local authority are automatically subject to the higher level of legal protection and that there is a duty to maintain and facilitate access to national monuments. Of course, the Office of Public Works, OPW, will be in charge.

I want to talk to the Minister of State about the fabulous courthouse in Carlow. At the moment, a very small part of the railings have been restored. I have tabled many parliamentary questions but I am not getting any information on when the rest of the railings will be restored. Some 50% or 60% of the railings have not been done and are in a bad state of repair. The railings that have been done are absolutely magnificent but we need to move on it. Is funding the biggest issue here?

I spoke about our dolmen earlier. I am sure Members are all aware of our Brownshill Dolmen. While there is access to it, there are no toilet facilities. We all want to make sure we preserve our heritage and everything we can as it is so important for future generations. If funding is not put into the historical projects that need to be done, there could be huge issues in the long term and we could end up not being able to have them as significant tourist attractions. When you are selling your county and are so proud of it, you have to make sure when you are promoting it, it is fully funded.

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