andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Finance the composition of the National Monuments Advisory Council, the number of meetings it has held in 1978 and to date in 1979, the matters on which (a) he has sought its advice and (b) it has given advice; and the work it has scheduled for the remainder of 1979.
Written Answers. - National Monuments Advisory Council.
274.
The National Monuments Advisory Council is constituted in accordance with Section 15 (1) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1954 and at present consists of 25 members.
The full council held five meetings in 1978 and one to date in 1979. In addition the Standing Committee of the council met six times in 1978 and twice to date in 1979. (a) Since the beginning of 1978 the Commissioners of Public Works have sought the advice of the council in the following matters: (1) With larger areas of archaeological interest the council considered advisable to protect by the purchase of land; and what other means they might recommend for that purpose; (2) Whether proposed developments should be permitted on a number of sites which contained or were close to potential national monuments; (3) Proposals for the provision of visitor facilities at Glendalough. (4) Whether, and if so how, the role of local advisory committees should be amended in the light of experience. (b) In addition to advising on the matters detailed above the council advised on the preservation of a number of national monuments.
I expect that for the remainder of 1979 the National Monuments Advisory Council will continue its statutory function of advising the Commissioners of Public Works on matters arising on or relating to the carrying into execution of the provisions of the National Monuments Act, 1930 as amended by the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1954 and on other matters affecting national monuments and the protection and preservation thereof. In addition it will, I expect, fulfil its functions as a prescribed body under the Planning Acts.