Jim O'Keeffe
Question:112 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that enough is being done to protect our archaeological heritage. [25631/00]
Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:134 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the recent report commissioned by the Heritage Council which suggested that Ireland's heritage is being lost at an alarming rate and that archaeological monuments are being destroyed at the rate of 10% per decade; the steps she is taking to deal with the issues identified in the report and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25582/00]
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 134 together.
I am aware of the report commissioned by the Heritage Council and I have already welcomed the publication of the report on this subject as it brings a new focus to the problem of the destruction of archaeological monuments, which has been a source of concern to me and the heritage service of my Department.
I have previously acknowledged that this problem exists, notwithstanding the significant legislative powers which are available to me. However, I am satisfied that good progress is being made by my Department in protecting our archaeological heritage notwithstanding the increased impact on that heritage arising from the upsurge in development work on foot of our unprecedented economic growth. A number of improvements which will support the protectionof the archaeological heritage have been recently introduced by me. These involve the following: the resolution of the long-standing contractual difficulties in relation to the archaeologists employed on contract in my Department. The people involved have now been given contracts of employment for five years; the provision of an eight additional archaeological posts in the archaeological service of my Department; addressing the backlog of archaeological licence reports and reducing the period for processing new applications; agreement on a code of practice with the National Roads Authority on the protection of archaeological sites under its road development programme. This code will serve as a model for similar codes with other development sectors with whom discussions are already under way; advancement of plans for the re-organisation of structures and resources that will give a regional focus to the operation of the archaeological services, thus providing better service delivery to many of the Department's customers. A key feature of this will be a localised system of monitoring sites that the Heritage Council has identified as being threatened by destruction and; promoting the recruitment by local authorities of their own archaeologists.