Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will all of them come up like that? That is quite confusing when they are being called out.

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House and I welcome the fact that he introduced a number of amendments in the Dáil based on the constructive engagement he had with my colleague, Senator Higgins, on this Bill. I am disappointed, though, that he opted to table a large number of amendments outside of the subject matter of this Bill in the Dáil without proper scrutiny in the Seanad. It is a practice which has become more common but it is one that does a great disservice to the role of the Seanad in making and scrutinising law.

Let us come to my amendment, Dáil amendment No. 15. I have a concern that by deleting the word "traditional" in the subsequent amendment, No. 16, we are excluding a whole set of practices and items which fall under the scope of this Bill. I note that "artistic" is being brought under the definition of "cultural" but if we include the word "traditional" within the definition of "historic" then we are ensuring that same level of protection applies to traditional objects, practices and landscapes. I urge the Minister of State to accept this amendment.