Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past by failing to protect our heritage

Ireland's cultural heritage must be protected. The Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill needs to be strengthened in order to do this properly, argue Army Strecker and Sinéad Mercier

The power to allow virtually unlimited Ministerial discretion to destroy national monuments was used most egregiously to allow construction of the M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley in County Meath, home to the Hill of Tara, ancient seat of power in Ireland.

In the last few decades, Ireland’s heritage law framework has been structurally enfeebled to facilitate short-termist development, particularly under-used high-carbon motorways, illegal quarries and ghost estates of the Celtic Tiger era. This month, however, TDs have the chance to ensure proper protection for Ireland’s cultural heritage.

The Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill 2023 (the Bill) overhauls Ireland’s main cultural heritage legislation and is currently before the Dáil for debate (second stage). While the draft Bill contains some merit, we are of the view that it needs further amendment to reflect international best practice and not to repeat the mistakes of the past.