Written Answers. - European Convention on Archaeological Heritage.
John Bruton
Question:
109
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Finance
the reason Ireland has not yet signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage; when the Convention was opened for signature; if he proposes to introduce legislation to ratify this Convention; the advantages of this Convention for Ireland and Europe; the countries which have ratified it; and if he will make a statement on any reservations Ireland has about the Convention from a cost or other point of view.
The Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage was opened for signature on 6 May 1969. It has not been signed by Ireland as yet.
The convention was designed to protect as far as possible archaeological objects, by forbidding clandestine excavations and to control the illicit circulation of archaeological objects. It was also designed to give archaeological excavations their full significance by means of education.
As it stands the existing convention does unfortunately give rise to problems, not least of which is the particular article which could serve to pre-empt the National Museum from acquiring archaeological objects suspected of having originated from clandestine excavations.
The inter-governmental programme of activities of the Council of Europe for 1990 provides for a revision of the existing convention. At this juncture it may be more practicable to await the outcome of the revision deliberations, before further consideration is given to signature of the convention.
The following countries have ratified the convention to date: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the Holy See.
John Bruton
Question:
110
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Finance
the reason Ireland has not yet signed the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Architectural Heritage of Ireland; when the Convention was opened for signature; when Ireland signed it; its implications for Ireland; the reason legislation to ratify it has not yet been introduced; when it will be introduced; and the countries which have already ratified it.
The Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe was opened for signature on 3 October 1985 and signed by Ireland on the same date. At present the legal implications of ratifying the Convention are the subject of a detailed review. The outcome of this review will determine, whether or not, legislative provisions will be required prior to ratification.
To date the Convention has been ratified by nine countries — Cyprus, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
