Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am not happy with that. The Minister of State is not telling us, for example, that he is committed to driving that through. He could have said I made an excellent point and that he, as Minister of State with responsibility for heritage, will drive that through in the planning and development Bill, but he did not say that. We have to be pragmatic. Today, we are debating the History and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023. If this provision were enshrined in this primary legislation, it would have to be considered in the context of the next planning and development Bill. That is a fact. It would be better and prudent to make the provision today. Therefore, I will press the amendment, which is an important one that makes absolute sense. I cannot understand the logic the Minister of State is suggesting. This issue is happening now, in Kilkenny, but he is somehow giving the impression this is not the way to do business, or at least that is what his officials or someone else is telling him.

The amendment is important. We should endeavour to make the provision in this primary legislation. Doing so will strengthen my hand and his hand, assuming he is committed. Is he committed, as Minister of State with responsibility for heritage, to ensuring what I propose will be enshrined? Will he personally undertake to promote that in the planning and development Bill?