MICHAEL MERRIGAN, MA, FGSI: Iconic Monument to Laoghaire Sought

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Iconic Monument to Laoghaire Sought

The Dún Laoghaire Community Association, of which, I am currently Chairperson, has campaigned for several years now for the erection of an iconic memorial to the eponymous founder of the "dún" which gave its name to the Town. The County Council's Strategic Policy Committee on Culture, Community Development and Amenities has recommended to the Council that it should consider commissioning a statue of High King Laoghaire who reigned between 428 and 461AD. Pictured at the recent public launch of its campaign for erection of the memorial to High King Laoghaire are Cllr. John Bailey, Fine Gael member of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; Ian M. Kane, Co-Founder and Director of Dún Laoghaire Town Football Club; Stephanie Batt, Dún Laoghaire Tidy Towns Committee and myself, Chairperson, Dún Laoghaire Community Association. The photograph has us positioned in front of a superimposed photograph of the memorial to the Gaulish leader, Vercingetorix, in Alesia, France. The Community Association believes that a scaled version of this type of iconic memorial is required for the Town Centre of Dún Laoghaire. (photo by Ken Finlay, click on photo to enlarge)

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MY NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS ON LEGISLATION

I have a strong record of campaigning on various legislative matters for the past fifteen years. Scrutinising proposed legislation and proffering suggestions for amendments aimed at improving the legislation or protecting the rights of the citizen.

In collaboration with Teachtaí Dála and Senators of all parties and none, I have successfully achieved amendments to Bills in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Most notably The Statistics Act, 1993, The Heritage Act, 1995, The National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, The Copyright & Related Rights Act, 2000 and The Civil Registration Act, 2004.

I have made submissions to Teachtaí Dála and Senators on The Registration of Deeds & Title Act, 2006, The Civil Unions Bill, 2006, Defamation Bill, 2006, Privacy Bill, 2006, The Land & Conveyancing Law Reform Bill, 2006 amongst others.

I collaborated with Sen. Paschal Mooney, (Fianna Fáil) to successfully achieve around twenty-eight amendments to the National Cultural Institutions Bill, however, this legislation still has some fundamental flaws.

Therefore, after five years campaigning for the introduction of new legislation, I decided to research and draft proposed legislation. In May 2006, Sen. Brendan Ryan (Labour) sponsored the introduction of my Bill. The Genealogy and Heraldry Bill, 2006 had its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann in December 2006. This Bill sought to provide a sound legislative basis for the State’s delivery of heraldic services, especially the granting of Arms.

I shall continue to press for further legislative protection for our heritage and for a greater voice to the voluntary and community sector.