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Disability Act 2005

Access to Heritage Sites (Section 29)

In this section of the Act, a "heritage site" includes--

1. a monument within the meaning of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004,
2. a heritage building or heritage garden or park within the meaning of the Heritage Act 1995,
3. a protected structure or a proposed protected structure, with any attendant grounds, or an architectural conservation area, within the meaning in each case of the Planning and Development Act 2000,
4. a nature reserve which is the subject of an establishment order within the meaning of the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000, and
5. a national park owned by the State and under the management and control of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

This section requires that, with effect from 31 December 2007, a public bodies shall, "as far as practicable", ensure that the whole or a part of a heritage site in its ownership, management or control to which the public has access, is accessible to persons with disabilities.

The Act also states that the foregoing shall not apply if its application would-

• have a significant adverse effect on the conservation status of a species or habitat or the integrity of a heritage site, or
• compromise the characteristics of the site.

The Act further states that nothing contained in Section 29 shall be construed as authorising or requiring the adaptation or modification of any heritage site contrary to law.

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