asked the Minister for Finance if a list of national monuments is being compiled and, if so, when its publication may be expected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Monuments.
23.
An archaeological survey of the entire country for the purpose of recording all monuments is in progress. I am unable to state at this point when publication of the results of the survey can be undertaken.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me how many counties have been completed and how many staff are employed?
Mr. Kenny
Three counties are completed and three more are in progress. I have not got the number of staff engaged.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I gave a reply in exactly those words three years ago? In other words, no progress has been made in the last three years.
Mr. Kenny
If the Deputy told the truth I am telling the same truth.
No progress.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact that, in many parts of the country, very important architectural and archaeological monuments are being removed by unauthorised persons? Can he give the House any reassurance about this matter or can he ensure that not alone will these monuments be listed but that some positive steps will be taken to preserve them?
Mr. Kenny
I understand from the newspapers that certain artifacts, such as pieces of stone crosses and relics of the past like that, have been removed. They can be removed, illegally of course, because you cannot guard every graveyard and every tombstone and every historical monument. At night people may come and take away certain things. I understand that some of these things have been taken out of the country illegally. Every precaution has been taken to prevent this.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary hear recently on the radio a very distinguished antiquarian describing an appalling situation in this regard, particularly in the west? Would he be prepared to inaugurate some programme whereby the general public would be brought in on this matter and their aid invoked to try to prevent these very valuable monuments from being despoiled in this way?
Mr. Kenny
That is a very good suggestion and I will consider it very favourably. Strangers coming in who are unused to the ground must have aid to get these things out of the country. If we can enlist the aid of the general public it will help us to prevent these exportations.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary do something positive?
Mr. Kenny
I certainly will.
More than the three counties that were done before?
Mr. Kenny
This survey has gone on since 1965 and in eight years three counties were done and three counties have been half done. I am in office for two years only and the Deputy was in office for eight years.
Only for three years.
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy can evaluate the progress made. The main cause of the slow progress is the lack of personnel.
In what way can the Parliamentary Secretary get more personnel?
Mr. Kenny
By getting more money.