Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 1

Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

50 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the action she will take arising from the recent report of the Heritage Council which found that important archaeological treasures were at risk due to inadequate site testing by archaeologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10901/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The Heritage Council report "Review of Archaeological Assessment and Monitoring Procedures in Ireland" indicates that the standard of archaeological test excavation and of the reports submitted is not as high as would be hoped for. However, it is not entirely accurate to state that, as a result, important archaeological treasures are at risk since testing is just the first stage in the archaeological resolution of a site.

Archaeological testing is carried out to determine the nature, extent and complexity of the archaeological structures, features or deposits that may exist on a development site. In the majority of cases, test excavations are carried out by machine-dug trenches to the top of stratified archaeological deposits. Any further excavation to determine the depth of the archaeology is carried out by hand. The report submitted on the results of the test excavation is used to determine the requirements for further archaeological excavations, avoidance of impacts or preservation in situ of structures or features.

However, I should point out to the Deputy that in some cases, there may be mitigating reasons why there may be less than accurate results from testing. For example, in urban areas, it may not be possible to carry out adequate test trenching at an early stage in the development process because of the presence of existing structures on the site prior to their demolition or the sites may be small and there are neighbouring buildings. On large greenfield sites, the excavation of a number of narrow test trenches may not give an accurate picture of the archaeology as testing in such cases is a hit and miss affair – the stripping of topsoil under archaeological supervision is a more productive method in such cases.

It has not been possible for my Department to maintain its programme of inspecting archaeological test excavations in line with the hugely increased pace of such excavation work taking place on foot of the upsurge in development activity in recent years. As a result, in a certain number of cases, it has proven difficult for private sector archaeologists to maintain the required standard. At the same time, it is clear from the Heritage Council report that there is an increased demand from private sector archaeologists for advice and inspections by my own officials.

However, the profession also needs to look at its own self-regulation and to ensure that proper standards are adhered to. It is to be expected that archaeologists will fulfil their role in a professional manner on foot of work licensed by my Department but unfortunately, this is not always the case. My Department cannot be held responsible for particular cases where sub-standard archaeological work by a licensed archaeologist is reported but licences can be, and have been, withheld subsequently if the terms and conditions of a previous licence have not been met by a particular archaeologist. It therefore remains a matter between the archaeologist and their client to provide an appropriate level of professional services while acting with the law.

For my part, I am currently examining ways to address these deficiencies. I am in the process of recruiting additional archaeologists and considering a repositioning of existing resources so as to introduce a programme of systematic site inspections and I am confident that this will have a significant beneficial effect on standards. Other initiatives involving a streamlining of the licensing system, a series of seminars and a set of guidelines on procedures and standards to be followed would also be desirable and will be pursued in conjunction with my plans to take on the additional archaeologists.