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

I want to take this opportunity to thank the House for the valuable discussions that have taken place to date on this important legislation. As can be seen by the large number of items on the cream list, a wide range of amendments have been made since the Bill was initiated. Many of these are a direct result of the proposals made by Senators and of the corresponding debates. While I will not go into detail on everything that has been amended as part of the Bill's progression through the Oireachtas, I will try to highlight some of those amendments that have been of particular importance.

This group of amendments covers those definitions that have been either amended or inserted into the Bill. Examples of these include new definitions for "amenity", "battlefield" and "cultural interest", as well as amended definitions of "immediate surroundings" and "works". These additions and modifications have greatly improved the coherence and precision of the Bill and again I thank Senators for their views and expertise, which have been instrumental in bringing about these amendments to the Bill.