Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I move amendment No. 14:

In page 23, between lines 6 and 7, to insert the following:

“ “battlefield” includes—

(a) any area or areas (to the extent (if any) that it or they can be both identified and geographically defined) where the majority of the combat (including any

significant military engagement) or related activities of a battle took place, and

(b) any sites or places directly associated with the conduct, command or direction of a battle (including any significant military engagement) or related

activities of a battle, whether or not contiguous with or to an area or areas referred to in paragraph (a);.

Amendment No. 14 introduces the definition of a "battlefield" for the purposes of amending the definition of a "relevant thing" by way of amendment No. 31, to include any battlefield in the list of the different sites and structures under the definition of "relevant thing". This amendment follows the discussions during the Committee Stage on this matter and I once again want to thank Deputies for their views which have been taken on board.

Amendment No. 29 follows a Committee Stage proposal to broaden the definition of a "relevant thing" by not only providing for a site where a historic event took place but also any other site directly associated with that historic event.

On amendment No. 28 from Deputies Bacik and Duncan Smith, while the intention of this proposed amendment may be to ensure that wider areas can be entered into the Register of Monuments, what is set out is not necessarily appropriate in drafting terms. The reason for this is that the opening paragraph of the definition of "relevant thing" merely ensures the thing listed in the following paragraphs comes within the scope of the definition of "relevant thing", no matter where they are situated. The text as it stands clearly achieves that, particularly once the wide scope of the definition of "land" is taken into consideration. Again, I am not in a position to accept this amendment.

On amendment No. 38 in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh, I hope the Deputy will consider withdrawing this amendment given that the amendment I have already proposed on sites where historic events have taken place, so that other sites directly associated with that historic event are now also in the scope. Gabhaim buíochas.

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