Vol. 508 No. 5
4 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the recent report of the Heritage Council on the destruction of thousands of archaeological monu ments due to intensive farming methods and development by speculators; the way in which she proposes to stop this; the action she has taken to date where monuments have been obliterated; and the action she proposes to take in the future. [19166/99]
I welcome the publication of the Heritage Council report on archaeological features at risk. It brings a new focus to the problem of the destruction of archaeological monuments which has been a source of concern to me and to Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. I acknowledge that the increased pace of land use change and development has created a potential threat to archaeological remains. Mindful of this, the archaeological survey of Ireland which is undertaken by my Department has been used as a basis for the identification and statutory protection of known archaeological sites. Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, provided for the establishment of a record of monuments and places, otherwise known as RMP. This record has recently been completed for the whole country and provides for comprehensive legal protection to be extended to all recorded monuments, which number about 120,000 for the country as a whole.
The record for each county consists of a set of ordnance survey constraint maps with an accompanying index which shows the location of monuments and places which are protected under the Acts. These are publicly exhibited at various venues around each county, such as local authority offices, county libraries, farm development services and Teagasc offices. Notice of these venues is given in both local and national newspapers. The listing of a monument in the RMP requires anybody proposing to carry out works which in any way interfere with the protected site to give my Department two months written notice of such intention. A person contravening these provisions shall be liable to severe penalties under the Acts.
The National Monument Acts 1930 to 1994, enable me to intervene in any case of threat to a monument which comes to my notice and, if necessary, to pursue the matter through the courts. A number of such cases have recently been actively pursued. I am currently looking at means by which services provided by my Department's regionally based staff in other fields, for example, nature conservation, can be extended to include some monitoring of archaeological sites. I hope to make practical arrangements to this end in the near future in consultation with relevant staff interests. I also see some scope in developing alliances both with local authorities and other local interest groups whereby they could assist in keeping a watch over archaeological sites and monuments at local level. These and other initiatives will be explored further, in consultation with the Heritage Council, in the context of the proposed national heritage plan which I intend to publish next year.
This question was prompted by the report completed by Muiris Ó Suilleabháin from the National Heritage Council which showed that in 600 square miles up to 17 per cent of the recorded monument were either seriously damaged or had disappeared, principally due to more intensive methods of farming or speculative developments. How many staff from Dúchas monitor this? Has the Minister applied for extra staff to ensure the relevant section of the 1994 Act is implemented? When drafted, that Act was deemed to be one of the best in Europe but without resources it is useless. Has the Minister had discussions with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development about releasing the information on every townland which is available in his Department? Many farmers do not appreciate the full significance or the importance of the archaeological and recorded monuments on their property and this information would create a momentum for them to be preserved.
There is a huge constituency interest in preserving these recorded monuments, many of which are thousands of years old. For example, in the Burren in the Minister's constituency, copies of Poulnabrone monuments are being erected as tourist attractions. Has the Minister applied for extra staff? What staff are available in Dúchas? Has the Minister spoken to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development about releasing information so that those who own property on which these monuments are erected understand that the full rigours of the law will be applied and that it is in everybody's interest that they are retained and preserved?
The need for improved statutory protection was recognised which is why the record of monuments and places was established and this was completed in 1998. As I said, it outlines the monuments which come under such extended protection. As regards the Deputy's question about giving information to those most interested, mainly farmers who have monuments on their land, this is available, along with maps and surveys, at various venues which are easily accessible locally – local authority offices, county libraries, farm development services and Teagasc offices. As I said, notice of these venues is given in local newspapers. People can go to these venues, look at the maps and obtain the necessary information.
With regard to staffing, we need a monitoring system which ensures protection is enforced. It is one thing to have legislation but it is another to ensure it is enforced. I referred to how I am examining ways of doing this. A number of approaches could be taken, such as asking the Minister for Finance for extra staff and funding. However, I intend to take the faster approach of examining the services provided by regional staff, such as nature conservation staff, to see if it is possible to include the monitoring of archeological sites. Obviously, I cannot do that without consulting the relevant staff which I intend to do.
The time is up on that question. We must proceed to Question No. 5.
Something will have to be done about the regulations governing questions.
The Members decided those regulations not the Chair. The Chair must implement them.
You are correct, a Cheann Comhairle.
I have no fault with you, a Cheann Comhairle. The Minister would like to give more information and I have further questions.
Members have the solution in their own hands.
You are rigidly laying down the law.
I am applying the law as laid down by the Members.
Time is being wasted discussing this instead of answering the question.
