Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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381. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the main provisions of the upcoming Monuments Bill, and any proposed changes to existing legislation which the Government has scheduled for publication next year. [49332/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The general scheme of a Monuments Bill to consolidate, update and improve the legislative code governing the protection and regulation of the national archaeological heritage is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

The key objectives of the Bill are to provide for:

- A consolidated and updated code replacing the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 and a number of related enactments;

- A single Register of Monuments to replace the existing statutory and non-statutory register and records;

- A single, integrated licence system for archaeological related activities;

- A consistent approach to the regulation of archaeological works in relation to all types of development;

- A statutory mechanism to deal with new discoveries of archaeological monuments; and

- The ratification of certain international archaeological conventions.

I intend to publish the Bill as quickly as possible when drafting has been completed.