Vol. 401 No. 6
111 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Finance if an archaeological rescue office has been set up in the Office of Public Works; if an audit of endangered archaeological sites has been carried out; if programmes of rescue excavation and conservation have been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Archaeological rescue excavations are controlled by the Office of Public Works by means of licences under the National Monuments Acts. The national archaeological survey and the urban archaeological survey being carried out by the Office of Public Works are identifying the monuments and areas of archaeological potential in the country and the various public authorities who control or subvent development are advised of these findings.
With the aid of the funds provided under the environmental action programme the Office of Public Works have prepared a programme of rescue excavation to be undertaken this year and has made proposals to certain local authorities to assist them in reconciling the protection of archaeology with urban development. The setting up of a wetlands archaeology unit, to deal mainly with rescue of archaeological finds in bogs, was recently announced. Other areas where archaeological sites are potentially endangered are being investigated in consultation with the relevant authorities.
