Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I support the amendments. The issue of public access to heritage and monuments is extremely important. I raised the matter in depth on Committee Stage. I tabled amendments on it that were designed to ensure the Bill interacts with existing legislation relating to how we can ensure access and existing routes for doing that, such as the powers of local authorities. I suggested there would be a key role for the Minister in being able to ask local authorities to use their existing legislative powers in that regard, specifically with regard to archaeology and heritage. I acknowledge and welcome that the Minister, as he stated he would on Committee Stage, has brought forward an amendment reflecting the proposals put forward on that issue.

I do think that is going to be helpful and constructive. How long is it going to take for these provisions in the Bill to be enacted and go live? It is not just an issue for Castletown House. There are other areas of key significance around the country where there are live issues and concerns about access to monuments and heritage. At what point will the Minister be able to start exercising the powers that the amendment allows for?

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