Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

327 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that according to the Heritage Council, one third of archaeological sites and monuments have been destroyed; and if she will ensure that archaeologists are permitted to excavate a site ahead of construction workers so that artefacts can be recovered. [15360/00]

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

I am aware of the report of the Heritage Council referred to by the Deputy which indicates that approximately one-third of the archaeological sites and monuments documented in the early part of the last century have since been destroyed. It is clear that many of these sites were lost when there was no legislative policing of such sites but nevertheless the current the rate of destruction to archaeological sites and monuments which the report puts at one per cent per annum remains unacceptably high.

I have previously welcomed the publication of this report as it brings a new focus to the problem of the destruction of the archaeological heritage which has been a source of concern to me and to the archaeological survey of my Department but I believe that most of the threats can be significantly reduced through better awareness and education and, in the case of planning and development, which poses the greatest risk, through improved procedures for archaeological mitigation through the planning process.

Apart from raising awareness my Department also enforces the provisions of the National Monuments Acts to prevent damage. Those who have caused damage are also pursued. This includes court prosecutions as necessary.

In addition, I am reviewing existing services to enhance monitoring of recorded monuments. A programme of inspections will be introduced in the context of re-organisation proposals in Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. This will be supported by the recruitment of additional archaeologists to support the work.

It is the policy of my Department to preserve in-situ all archaeological sites and monuments which are being impacted upon but where such impacts cannot be avoided, invariably through development, the policy is to preserve such sites by record. This involves allowing a site to be removed only after it has been scientifically excavated and recorded to an acceptable standard and my Department sets this as a requirement prior to any construction work taking place.