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

Dáil amendment No. 154 was introduced following an initial amendment brought about as a result of concerns raised in the Seanad as to whether there was sufficient provision in the Bill to ensure that statutory local authority development plans under the Planning and Development Act 2000 would take sufficient account of the register of monuments.

Following a review of section 167, I revised it fully. Dáil amendment No. 154 ensures that guidance issued under it to local authorities, including in relation to mandatory development plan objectives, can be as regards all aspects of historic heritage, not just registered monuments. Second, the revised version more clearly sets out that guidance can be in relation to all or any of the functions of local authorities, whether under the enacted Bill or other Acts.

Senators will, of course, be aware that a new planning Bill is in preparation. Its enactment will necessitate consequential revisions to references to the existing planning legislation in other legislation such as this Bill. Section 167 of the Bill will, therefore, have to be consequentially amended as part of the new planning Bill. However, I assure Senators that it will be my intention to ensure that such amendments ensure the same strong provision as is being set out in the current version now before them.