James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 19, to delete lines 8 to 23.

We oppose the Bill, and this section in particular. It has consequences for national monuments throughout the country, not just in Carrickmines. It is one thing to bring forward legislation to rectify the problem in Carrickmines, but several other cases have been brought to our notice in which the Minister was notified of finds but did not bring them to the attention of the National Museum until several months later. This is a matter of great concern. People have made statements about other sites which have appeared in the media but the Minister has removed all the protections which national monuments deserve.

If the Bill merely remedied the situation in Carrickmines, which it does not, we would have favoured it somewhat. The Minister of State should accept our opposition to this section and the preceding section on the grounds that they are a step too far. We could then get some agreement on the Bill. It does not look as if he will do so but I hope he will.

Local authorities are doing great work to protect national monuments and they have put county development plans in place. However, no guidelines are being given by the Minister or his Department on funding for the maintenance or refurbishment of these monuments, although perhaps the Minister will see fit to do so in the near future.