A Bill sponsored by the Progressive Democrats which aims to put the protection of the architectural heritage on a statutory footing has not been opposed by the Government.
Launching the Local Government (Planning and Development) Bill 1996 yesterday, the PD spokeswoman on the environment, Ms Mairin Quill, asked the Government to allow its free passage through the Dail so that it would become law by the end of the year.
The Bill would close off planning loopholes which had contributed to much of the destruction of towns and cities, Ms Quill said.