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

The Senator always speaks with great passion about these issues, and he is to be commended. What I have done by way of a response is to give assurance to the House, the Senator and those who are following this that the objectives in the Valletta Convention are being adhered to in the Bill. The protections to which the Senator has referred, in terms of archaeological heritage, will be given effect by this Bill.

I am clearly pointing out that there would be challenges if we were to take on board the specifics the Senator is asking for around an international treaty, the text of which is loosely and sometimes unclearly drafted and could be open to interpretation. I have been involved in cases in the past in relation to protection of heritage. I respect and value the right of NGOs and communities to be involved. It is an important part of our system that people can do that. I am confident the Bill gives effect to it.

If there are specific items in the Bill that are not compatible with the Valletta Convention, I ask the Senator to let us know of them. That would be useful from our perspective. We are confident that the Bill gives effect to what the Valletta Convention sets out to achieve as an international agreement. Underpinning it in this legislation is the correct way to do it and the best way to do it.