Vol. 400 No. 9
16 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Energy if his attention has been drawn to the report drawn up by the Sites and Monuments Records Office, which claims that dozens of known archaeological sites throughout the country have been destroyed by commercial forestry plantations; if he will draw up guidelines for those involved in commercial forestry to ensure that planting does not damage such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of the report referred to and initially I must point out that it was not drawn up by or on behalf of the Office of Public Works. That office, the Forest Service and Coillte Teoranta have, however, had discussions on the report and further investigation of the matter is under way.
The afforestation referred to has taken place over many years, generally prior to the introduction some years ago of specific procedures to ensure that forestry development did not degrade sites or monuments of archaeological importance.The Office of Public Works have confirmed their satisfaction with these procedures. In line with the undertaking in the Government's Environmental Action Programme work has commenced on consolidating these measures in a set of guidelines which should be published in time for the next planting season.
There is a litany of unbelievable destruction and vandalism. The Minister has told us that this did not take place in the last few years and that some of it took place years ago. I should like to ask the Minister to tell us if anybody has been ticked off, or prosecuted for that destruction. Is the Minister aware that a court tomb, dating back to 3000 BC, was badly damaged by forestry and that the adjoining field system and house sites were destroyed? In that case something that was man-made 5,000 years ago has been destroyed. The fact that the Office of Public Works have not submitted a report is a condemnation of them, but will the Minister explain to the House why they have not produced their report? Is the Minister aware that that will be a preliminary report covering six or seven counties and that the other counties have not been reported on? Will the Minister say if prosecutions have taken place where the law has been broken? Will the Minister say if such sites were destroyed by the State forestry programme and the steps taken to ensure that such destruction will stop immediately before we are disgraced in front of the eyes of the world?
I should like to inform the Deputy that initial consultations indicate that many of the sites referred to were planted a long time ago, possibly in the 'twenties.
Which ones?
The Office of Public Works are satisfied with the arrangements which have been in force since the 'seventies. The Forestry Service and Coillte Teoranta have had discussions with the National Parks and Monuments Service of the Office of Public Works on the contents of the report. Further investigation of the matter is under way and this will involve a detailed report being drawn up on the sites referred to.
Will the Minister say when the court tomb and the adjoining field system dating from 3000 BC was destroyed? Did it take place in the 'twenties, the 'sixties or the 'eighties?
It could have been. The Deputy is not making the accusation that it was recent.
The Deputy is asking the Minister and he should know when the destruction took place. I do not have a clue; it could have been in the last century.
The Deputy tabled the question.
And I am expecting an answer.
The services available to me are carrying out a full examination of the points raised in the report. Initial consultations indicate that a lot of this damage arose from planting that took place in the twenties, thirties and forties. Generally speaking, the Office of Public Works are satisfied that planting undertaken since the seventies has been satisfactory. I am having the items of archaeological importance mentioned in the report examined. I would be very happy at a later stage to identify, if possible, when the planting took place in each case. I would be shocked to think that there was any major damage or vandalism to any archaeological site, areas of historical culture or national value, arising from the activities of the Department of Forestry, Coillte Teoranta or any of the private planting firms in operation. I am gravely concerned about this matter, not just in relation to archaeological areas of importance but also to the environment.A whole series of new guidelines is being laid down and will, I hope, be in place for the next planting season in the autumn to ensure that modern maximum environmental controls are applied in relation to any planting scheme, because it is not the wish of the Department of Energy in their forestry development programme — which is very extensive — to detract from the environment in any way. They seek to improve the environment and it is essential for this country — and the world — to plant more trees to clear up the CO² problem which affects atmospheric warming. We need to play a much greater role in this regard in this country; about 5 per cent or 6 per cent of our land area is planted, whereas in Europe the figure is 20 per cent or 25 per cent. We are so far behind in forestry that it is a matter of extreme importance to get into place an extensive planting programme without damaging anything of value. Therefore, any planting which will take place, which will have grant or Coillte Teoranta approval, will have gone through the most rigorous system of examination before permission to plant is granted.
A final question from Deputy Mac Giolla.
I am very pleased that the Minister expressed his concern and that he is taking steps in this regard. Is he satisfied that the existing legislation is sufficient to prevent damage being caused? Are further measures necessary?
The authorities with responsibility for planting trees have extensive powers and knowledge and the development plans for each county contain a list of all the archaeological sites of importance, areas of scientific interest and areas of special amenity interest. The local planning authority are consulted by the Department in all cases before grant approval for afforestation purposes is given. I would be happy to introduce new regulations if I thought they were needed.
