Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I have been sitting here since this morning and interrupted no one. I am not in and out as it suits as I am doing my job. No one has asked what will happen if this Bill is not enacted. The injunction will continue, and two sections can continue to be built but not connected. I am sure the Opposition knows there will be sizeable penalty payments to the contractor after the end of July. That is the reality. I categorically deny that this Bill's intention is to give more power to the Minister. No new powers will be conferred on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government by this Bill. Specifically, under section 14(3) of the National Monuments Act 1930, it was and is open to the Minister to grant consent to a wide variety of activities affecting a national monument in the interests of archaeology or for any other reason. This Bill makes explicit the circumstances in which the consents or directions may be given. Furthermore, it gives a formal consultative role in such matters to the National Museum of Ireland, which was never there before.