Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A briefing on the Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 is being organised for members of the joint Oireachtas committee. A number of amendments, including an amendment on local government rates, are time sensitive. They need to be in place before budget 2024. There are issues around maternity leave in local government, which clarify the legal position for councillors' Seanad votes if they take maternity leave. That is in line with advice from the Attorney General. It is a technical amendment, but it needs to be made to avoid any legal uncertainty in advance of an election. There is an amendment on Lough Corrib, which is a technical amendment. There is a transitional amendment for the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA. It is a technical amendment that needs to be passed. This will go to committee to be debated.

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