Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 8

Written Answers. - National Audit of Archaeological Sites.

Mary Harney

Question:

35 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if, in relation to the commitment given in the Programme for Partnership Government 1993-1997 that the Government will undertake a full national audit of archaeological sites, he will outline when this audit will commence and by whom the audit will be carried out; if he is in a position to put a time frame on this very worthwhile exercise; and if he will give details of the further action, if any, he will then be recommending to the Government on foot of the information gleaned.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I understand that the Office of Public Works has recently completed the first phase of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and a Sites and Monuments Record is now available for each county. Some of these are based on field work while others are based mainly on existing records and on an examination of aerial photographs. The next phase of the work involves the completion of field work and the publication of inventories. This work is now in progress and it is expected to be finished by 1999. The Deputy can rest assured that I will take whatever steps I consider necessary to further this important work.