MICHAEL MERRIGAN, MA, FGSI: PLACENAMES POLICY CAMPAIGN

Sunday 2 August 2009

PLACENAMES POLICY CAMPAIGN

A Chairde,

Following on from the theme of the annual meeting of International Celtic Congress held in Sligo this weekend as shown on RTÉ News http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0801/6news_av.html?2588791,null,230 (the news story commences after a short advert that some may feel is very apt indeed) you may also like to read the Draft County Placenames Policy produced on behalf of the Genealogical Society of Ireland and, in particular, note its proposed treatment of placenames in Ireland that are derived from other Celtic languages etc.

Back in August 2007, on behalf of the Society, I prepared a detailed proposal for presentation to the Strategic Policy Committee for Culture, Community Development & Amenities of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The proposal was placed on the Agenda for the September 2007 meeting of the SPC, however, as there was insufficient time to consider the document in detail, it was deferred to the December 2007 meeting.

The proposal sought to have a County Placenames Policy adopted by the County Council and it received the unanimous support of the members of the SPC at the Dec. 5th 2007 meeting and was recommended to the Council and sent to the Law Department for consideration.

In the meantime, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council prepared a Draft County Development Plan and invited submissions from the general public. Whilst, it was expected that the issue of a County Placenames Policy would have been contained in the Draft Development Plan, unfortunately this has not been included.

Therefore, as part of the Public Consultation Process, the Society’s Draft County Placenames Policy document was presented, once again, to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for inclusion in the County Development Plan - see: www.dlrcoco.ie

Should you wish to make your views known to the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on this issue you could address such to:

Cllr. Marie Baker
Cathaoirleach
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
County Hall
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Ireland

E-mail: mbaker@cllr.dlrcoco.ie

Pending the County Council’s decision on this matter, as a person concerned about local history and heritage matters you may like to view the document by clicking on the link below.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9108186/

Go raibh mile maith agaibh.

Mise le meas

Michael Merrigan

General Secretary
Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann
Genealogical Society of Ireland
11, Desmond Avenue
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
IRELAND
http://www.familyhistory.ie/

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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.