Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Under section 167, guidelines can be issued to local authorities in respect of their dealings with historic heritage in the course of the performance of their functions. Many local authorities already list monuments on the maps attached to their development plans, as Senator Boyhan has shown. I can offer a commitment today that guidelines issued to local authorities will include a recommendation that registered monuments are to feature on development plan maps. I will also request that the departmental officials continue their good engagement with local authorities to help ensure that the necessary data is made available in order that registered monuments can be featured on development plan maps. Senator Boyhan is correct that the data is vital. Being able to layer the maps and have the data, be it from natural or archaeological heritage, is very important.

It is important to note and welcome the specific references to the National Monuments Acts in the forthcoming planning and development Bill. My intention would be to update these references to registered monuments in the Bill before the House if it is enacted before the planning and development Bill. These two measures will address Senator Boyhan's wish to see development maps updated to include information on registered monuments. I hope he will consider this to be a suitable way to progress the matter. We see it as guidance rather than as part of primary legislation.We see that as much more effective and it offers a degree of flexibility, as the Senator said. If the Planning and Development Bill 2022 is passed, we could see development plans extend to ten years. It should also be noted that technology will change over time in terms of how maps will appear. It is critically important to have that degree of flexibility.