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

The first set of these amendments relate to prescribed monuments and consist of some minor amendments relating to ordnance maps, reports of finds of prescribed monuments, and one major change that was introduced following discussion in this House.

Dáil amendment No. 35 broadens the basis of prescribed monuments by moving from a position where the classes of prescribed monuments, as set out in the regulations made under section 12, would be comprised solely of classes of relevant things of archaeological interest to the current position where such classes may be of archaeological, architectural, cultural, or historic interest. This represents a major expansion in the scope of what was originally envisaged and again I thank the Senators for their observations and proposed amendments that have led to this. A core element of Part 2 of the Bill is the register of monuments. This will replace several overlapping designation and registration systems currently in operation under the National Monuments Acts. Entries to the register will become known as "registered monuments".

This second part of this group of amendments covers a large number of amendments that relate to the operation of the register and to registered monuments, including proposed works at such monuments. Several of these changes have their origins in the Seanad. Some examples include the addition of "community or amenity value" into sections 14 and 20, additional consultation requirements, including mandatory consultation with the Heritage Council in certain circumstances, and additional clarity around what sites and structures are eligible for entry in the register.