Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he did not present a new National Monuments Act as promised in the middle of 2008. [28638/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 422: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount spent conducting a consultation for a revision of the National Monuments Act 1930, and archaeological policy. [28640/09]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the promised National Monuments Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28691/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 420, 422 and 425 together.

The Expert Advisory Committee I established to review archaeological policy and practice submitted its recommendations on improving and updating national monuments legislation in February 2009, following which work began on the preparation of Heads of a Bill. This is now at an advanced stage and I expect to circulate the Heads to other Departments for consideration shortly. The Expert Committee met five times during 2008 and the related costs, along with the costs of information seminars held for other interested parties, amounted to €30,871.38.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason he has agreed a code of practice with Eirgrid when it is based on the National Monuments Act 1930. [28642/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Codes of Practice, such as that recently agreed between my Department and EirGrid, provide a framework to enable infrastructure providers to progress their work programmes, while carrying out appropriate archaeological mitigation in accordance with an agreed set of principles and actions. They serve as operational guidance to ensure best archaeological practice in accordance with legal and other requirements and may be revised, as necessary, to reflect legislative change or other relevant developments.