asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received representations from the Ancient Monuments Advisory Council in regard to injury to archaeological sites by drainage operations under the land rehabilitation project; and, if so, whether he has any statement to make upon this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Injury to Archaeological Sites.
The question of preventing damage to objects of archaeological interest during the course of land reclamation operations has been the subject of correspondence and discussions between the Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum, The National Monuments Advisory Council, and officers of my Department since the early stages of the land reclamation scheme.
In October, 1950, the Keeper of Irish Antiquities gave a lecture on the subject of field monuments of archaeological interest to the district officers, and distributed to them a memorandum which he had prepared specially for their guidance.
As operations under the scheme were extended, it was found that the danger of interference with sites of possible interest was increasing. This position was kept under close observation and in July, 1952, instructions were issued to all outdoor officers engaged on land reclamation that schemes should be planned so as to obviate as far as possible interference with archaeological sites. To meet occasional cases where a scheme would necessitate interference with such sites, there has since 1950 been an arrangement whereby sites are inspected by an experienced archaeologist, and if warranted an archaeological excavation is carried out.
All representations made by the National Monuments Advisory Council have been given the most careful consideration and everything possible has been done by the officers of my Department to co-operate with the council. I am satisfied, and I think the council is also, that all practicable precautions have been taken in my Department to obviate to the fullest possible extent interference with archaeological sites.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, with the terms of which I am in entire agreement, has the Minister's attention been directed to certain observations made by archaeologists in public suggesting that the officers of the Department have recklessly destroyed ancient monuments in the course of drainage operations under the land rehabilitation project and would he not agree that such irresponsible allegations should not be made?
Mr. Walsh
Quite true.