Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 19, to delete lines 13 and 14 and substitute the following:

“ “archaeological heritage” shall include structures, constructions, groups of buildings, developed sites, moveable objects, monuments of other kinds as well as their context, whether situated on land or under water;”

The rationale of the amendment is that the definition of our archaeological heritage that exists in the Bill is quite lacking. It defines archaeological heritage as "relevant things of archaeological interest and archeological objects". The new definition that I am proposing is what appears in the Valletta Convention on page 2. We will talk about this convention in some detail later on. Ireland is a signatory to the Valletta Convention. There is no controversy about it and therefore we are obliged to incorporate and embrace the ideals and aspirations of the convention, where possible. I do not think this is a big jump forward. It should be an easy win. Listing underwater structures and monuments is particularly significant because it will allow the Bill to have an effect on maritime law. I know this is an issue of great importance to the Minister of State.