Seanad debates

Thursday, 2 March 2017

Heritage Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed)

 

10:30 am

Photo of Lynn RuaneLynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1b:

In page 4, line 3, after “property” to insert “to protect the interests of natural heritage”.

This amendment relates to Waterways Ireland and the fact that it currently has no obligation to consider heritage factors - be they historical, natural or cultural - as part of its duties. Obviously, this is unacceptable and needs to be a matter of major consideration, given this is the Heritage Bill. When I researched the natural heritage of the canal areas, I found that a number of different species are endangered, such as the otter, the badger, the stoat and the long eared bat among others, and this is why we need Waterways Ireland to have that obligation.

On the historical heritage, I believe that during a period of flooding some time ago, many historical artefacts that were in the canal came to the surface. These included items such as clay pipes, bayonets and three-headed fishing spears from the 19th century. There is so much historical and natural heritage along our canals that it would seem to be natural for Waterways Ireland to have an obligation to consider heritage factors in respect of the canals.

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