Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Jan 1978

Vol. 303 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wood Quay (Dublin) Excavation.

31.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that the Board of Commissioners who act under the aegis of the Office of Public Works will respond positively to the democratically expressed wish of the Dublin City Council, Dublin Corporation and members of the public by ensuring that every last vestige of useful archaeological or other findings be fully excavated from the Wood Quay site in the heart of Dublin before any building which might damage or inhibit the excavation work takes place.

32.

Mr. Keating

asked the Minister for Finance if he is willing to act to ensure that the site at Wood Quay, Dublin, is preserved and fully excavated so that this valuable cultural and archaeological artifact is not jeopardised; and if he will instruct the Commissioners of Public Works to respond urgently to this situation.

Mr. Wyse

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, an application to restrain Dublin Corporation from removing or otherwise interfering with certain earth works at the site of the proposed Civic Offices at Wood Quay is still the subject of court proceedings.

Arising out of an undertaking given by the corporation at the recent Supreme Court hearing the Commissioners of Public Works are urgently considering what further archaeological excavations should, in their opinion, be undertaken at the site.

Mr. Keating

I think the Minister accepts, from what he said in his answer, as the Minister for the Environment indicated to me in a reply on this matter last November, that the Board of Works under his jurisdiction have an ultimate responsibility and function here and that he would be willing to exercise that function and advise the commissioners to do that if necessary.

Mr. Wyse

The local authority officials are on the site and are having consultations about the whole matter.

Mr. Keating

Will the Minister insist that this site be fully excavated because the ultimate responsibility is in his hands through the Board of Works?

Mr. Wyse

The decision at the moment lies with the High Court.

Mr. Keating

I will raise the matter again. That is not the answer I was looking for.

The Taoiseach

Nobody can get the answer he is looking for.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Keating

It is easy for certain people to jibe because they have no interest in the city. I am concerned and I hope the Minister behind the Taoiseach is concerned. When I asked the question I asked it because it was a serious matter. I did not intend it to become a matter of cheap hilarity.

The Taoiseach

The Deputy is very touchy.

Mr. Keating

I am not touchy at all. I am not half as touchy as the Minister for Health has been all afternoon.