Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 7

Written Answers. - Preservation of Archaeological Remains.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

60 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the action, if any, being taken by the National Monuments Service following its review of the options available to preserve the archaeological remains of the 13th century friary in the Temple Bar area of Dublin city. [10488/96]

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

All remains of the 13th century Augustinian friary of the Holy Trinity in Dublin's Temple Bar area have been entered in the Register of Historic Monuments. The entry covers the entire block bounded by Cecilia Street, Fownes Street Upper, Temple Lane South and Temple Bar, which includes the remains already uncovered on the development site at the corner of Cecilia Street-Fownes Street.

The most substantial surviving portion of the foundations of the precinct wall of the friary, uncovered on that site, has been dismantled under expert archaeological supervision following a full survey, including the making of a photomosaic of the foundations. The stones have been numbered and labelled awaiting reinstatement and conservationin situ within the basement of the building being erected on the site. The outlines of the other wall foundations discovered will be delineated on the basement floor using original material.

I reaffirmed recently that it will be the clear and unambiguous policy of the National Monuments Service in the future to oppose applications for basements within urban zones of archaeological potential, unless it can be demonstrated that the construction of such a basement can be achieved without unacceptable archaeological implications. The overall planning advice role of the National Monuments Service will also be based on this policy. In cases where it is considered that unsuitable planning permission has been granted, powers under the National Monuments Acts will be invoked at the earliest opportunity.