7.—(1) Where the Board proposes to erect a notice or fence at, or to provide or improve means of access to, any historic building, site or shrine, or other place which, in the opinion of the Board, is likely to be of particular interest to the public, and the owner refuses to permit the Board to carry out the proposed work, the Board shall have power to acquire, under section 19 of the Act of 1939, such land as the Board thinks proper to enable the work to be carried out.

(2) The Board shall not exercise its powers under this section in or over a national monument, within the meaning of the National Monuments Act, 1930 (No. 2 of 1930), which is, or is in the course of being, vested in or placed under the guardianship of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland or a local authority or made the subject of a preservation order under that Act.