Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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814. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will clarify the position in respect of Chapter 4 (188) of the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. [1876/25]

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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815. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the date on which the schedule of national monuments has been updated; if he will provide a schedule of historic buildings of more modern times that are included on the register of national monuments; and if he will outline the relationship the national monuments service has with the OPW in respect of national monuments. [1877/25]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 814 and 815 together.

The Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 (the Act) was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and enacted on 13 October 2023.

While the Act is now law, its provisions are being brought into force on a phased basis, by way of a series of Commencement Orders. As of January 2025, two Commencement Orders have been made; (S.I. No. 252 of 2024 - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/252/made/en/print and S.I. No. 663 of 2024 - www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/si/663/made/en/print).

Section 188 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2023/act/26/section/188/enacted/en/html#sec188) of the Act, which provides for “General powers of officers, servants and agents, etc., of relevant authority,” was included in the first of such Commencement Orders, and is now in operation.

In relation to a schedule of national monuments, preparations are in train for the new Register of Monuments, as provided for in the Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.

The Office of Public Works has responsibility for the care and maintenance of key heritage sites in Ireland, including a range of national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. The Office of Public Works and the National Monuments Service work in tandem to preserve and protect Ireland’s built and archaeological heritage.

Further information on monuments can be found on the National Monuments website at www.archaeology.ie/national-monuments.