Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland enjoys a unique wealth and variety of archaeological monuments and sites which are a vital part of our heritage. The protection and preservation of our archaeological heritage, and the regulation of related activities, is currently provided for under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2014.

The original 1930 Act came into being in very different times and has been frequently and significantly altered in the meantime. The resulting complex legislative framework is no longer adequately reflective of, or responsive to, today's heritage conservation priorities or the economic, social and infrastructural requirements it now has to deal with.

My Department is currently advancing the preparation of new legislation to repeal the existing Acts in their entirety and create a modern consolidated legal framework designed to effectively meet the challenges of today's operating environment.  It will also allow the State to ratify key international conventions in the area of heritage protection. Preparation of the new legislation is at an advanced stage.