The Monuments and Archaeological Bill intends to revise and replace the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 and other related legislation.

It seeks to introduce new measures to protect archaeological structures and sites, including the establishment of a single register of monuments, a statutory reporting scheme for newly discovered monuments and provisions to prevent the illicit import and possession of stolen cultural property.

Another element of the proposed bill is to incorporate historic wrecks and underwater cultural archaeological objects into the new scheme for monument protection.

The proposed bill will also enable the State to ratify and give effect to several important international conventions relating to the protection of cultural heritage.

Malcolm Noonan, minister of state for heritage and electoral reform, said: “This proposed Bill will modernise existing legislation protecting monuments and archaeology – some of this legislation dates back to the 19th century. It covers a breadth of areas including licencing, a reporting system and a single Register of Monuments.

“If enacted, this legislation will substantially strengthen protection of archaeological heritage for the enjoyment of future generations and also represent major progress on the protection of our built heritage.

“My Department recently published our Vernacular Strategy to protect traditional buildings, and will also launch Heritage Ireland 2030 in the coming weeks, a new national heritage plan to provide a vision and backdrop to realise our full set of ambitions for Ireland’s built, natural and archaeological heritage.”