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

It has been put into the Bill in case a situation arises where a Minister and local authority are both considered owners of a monument.There might be circumstances where a monument owned by the Minister is leased to a local authority. That is where the issue of ownership could arise. It is unlikely, but it is important to have a provision in the Bill for that eventuality. The ownership issue then determines a range of subsequent requirements and obligations in terms of maintenance and day-to-day management of a monument. It is important to reflect that in the Bill.