Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to co-sign this amendment. I saw it put forward in the Dáil and had expected that it would be accepted because it is eminently sensible. We talk about public land. It is about making clear that certain kinds of land serve other purposes that are core to the public good and are part of our responsibility in terms of biodiversity, the environment and public amenity. This includes lands that are national parks, heritage sites and the Phoenix Park. It is especially important that we copper-fasten this. The Minister will be aware of the concerns now that the heritage portfolio has fused with the housing portfolio. Some of the normal checks and balances we might have had between Departments may not be in place. It is useful to show or indicate the importance of the heritage part of the housing, local government and heritage remit by excluding certain lands with a core heritage function from potential transfer to the LDA. I may bring a version of this amendment on Report Stage that would look to special areas of conservation and national heritage areas. It would be appropriate that they would not be transferred to the LDA.