Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

——we have relatively few opportunities to debate our cultural heritage. It is notable that there have been Europa Nostra Awards for two projects. The OPW was involved in one for the fine restoration of the curvilinear glasshouse project at the National Botanic Gardens, in which the Taoiseach was interested and promoted. The work of the Irish Georgian Society over 40 or 50 years was also recognised. That society's main contribution, perhaps, was at a time when there was very little money in the country and when for understandable historical reasons people had mixed feelings about that part of our heritage. However, its advocacy has been such that ultimately there is very little equivocation in this regard anymore, which is to the benefit of the country. Members on all sides of the House will probably welcome the opportunity for a wide-ranging debate on our cultural heritage in the autumn, perhaps, because very little legislation comes forward on this area.