Kieran Phelan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue to the House. I am happy to have an opportunity to speak on the proposed Genealogy and Heraldry Bill 2006.

I listened carefully to the case put forward for the Bill and to the Minister's reply. The debate thus far has demonstrated the high esteem in which heraldry is held in this House and in society as a whole. I see heraldry as very much part of our daily lives. Many of the sporting organisations I am associated with proudly wear local and county crests on their jerseys as they take the field.

Through my work on tourism in this House, I have become aware of the great value of our heritage and history. Much of our tourism could be described as heraldic tourism with huge numbers travelling to Ireland to trace their ancestors and their roots. As such, I have a high level of respect for those providing such services to members of the public, organisations and institutions. However, this Bill, although brought to the House with good intentions supporting a noble profession, is unnecessary and would lead to excessive legislation.

Section 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 provides for a genealogical and heraldic service. During the 20th Seanad, my colleague, Senator Mooney, achieved 28 amendments to the text of the Bill which appeased many concerns of the interested parties at the time of the Bill's enactment. That Act adequately provides for the heraldic services.

The 1997 Act established a genealogy office with a chief herald responsible for research. This office is under the autonomous control of the National Library and I believe this office is more than adequate for the needs of the genealogical field and that additional legislation is unnecessary. The board of the National Library has not alerted the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to any deficiencies in the 1997 legislation that may serve to hinder the work of the Chief Herald. Neither has there been any challenge to the legal basis of the office. Therefore, I believe that section 13 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 adequately provides a legal basis for the work of the Chief Herald and that this Bill is not necessary in order to protect Irish genealogy and heraldry.

I thank the Minister for taking time to come to the House to speak on this matter. I will leave it to my learned colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, to deal with the vexillology register and matters of this kind.