Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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139. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures his Department is taking to protect heritage sites from damage, particularly damage with malicious intent such as theft or arson; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26600/24]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Damage to monuments by third parties in the form of vandalism is subject to severe penalties arising from the general criminal law - the Criminal Damage Act 1991 - penalties under this act are severe and in some cases a court may impose a life sentence. In terms of theft, third parties can be prosecuted under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 with a potential term of imprisonment of ten years.

The existing National Monuments Acts also provide protections for monuments which can be invoked in relation to illegal damage by any persons (owners or third parties). The National Monuments Service of my Department (NMS) continues to be vigilant and liaises with OPW to raise matters with An Garda Síochána as appropriate when incidents take place. The NMS also runs awareness campaigns to remind owners and the general public of their obligations under the National Monuments Acts, most recently, "Check Before you Dig", and "Protect our Past".