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

I will first respond to Deputy Sherlock's initial query in relation to landscapes and the Labour Party amendment. The landscape designation is provided for in the planning and development legislation. The Deputy mentioned specifically the Valetta Convention and there is no mention of landscape in the convention.

What we are doing here provides extra protection for surrounding areas as well.

Amendment No. 28 confuses two separate things: the locations where monuments can be and what can be monuments. There is that distinction there that I think we are not sure of.

Deputy Cian O'Callaghan spoke about the Irish battlefield project, which was a wonderful project. Obviously, we cannot anticipate what would be brought forward via the record. The Bill cannot be prescriptive in listings sites. However, the new register will cover battlefields but we would need to review particular boundaries before entry into the register. I can give that assurance. Section 14 already enables wide areas to be included in the register. Adding the battlefields, which Deputies sought on Committee Stage, is a novel element of the Bill and is to be welcomed.

In response to the issues Deputy Ó Snodaigh raised, I will not go into specifics on the future of the GPO which is a protected structure anyway. I absolutely agree with the Deputy's contention about cultural tourism and the importance and significance of these sites. That is why we are giving due recognition to it in this Bill.

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