Vol. 437 No. 3
50 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will provide financial assistance to local authorities specifically for the purpose of funding archaeological excavation and post-excavation programmes.
The National Heritage Council is funding the discovery programme which is a major, coherent and comprehensive archaeological research programme, while the Office of Public Works provides funds to the Royal Irish Academy for their programme of archaeological research. With regard to rescue archaelogical excavation it is normally the responsibility of the body (which may be a local authority) undertaking the development which necessitates the excavation to provide the necessary funding and I see no reason to alter this policy.
