Vol. 534 No. 4
196 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number and location or archaeological investigations and excavations which are currently taking place and unconnected with other developments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11050/01]
Archaeological investigations and excavations must be licensed by my Department and the 329 licences issued so far this year relate to planning and development. Research excavations, which form a very small proportion of excavations carried out annually, are traditionally undertaken by academic archaeologists during the summer vacations and are rarely carried out in the winter or spring seasons. Eight such licences issued last year but there are none currently active.
197 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that ring forts or areas of historical, cultural or archaeological interest are sufficiently protected from indiscriminate forestry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11051/01]
All known archaeological sites in the State enjoy the protection of the National Monuments Acts, 1930-1994. In addition, all applications for grant aid made through the Forestry Service of the Department of Marine and Natural Resources that may have archaeological implications are referred to my Department for consideration and recommendations. The Forest Service has produced a set of guidelines entitled Forestry and Archaeology and this outlines best practice in relation to the conservation of the built heritage. Officials from my Department work closely with their counterparts from the Forest Service as well as with Coillte and private forestry interests. Finally, my Depart ment has recently carried out a consultant's review of afforestation impact on archaeological sites and my officials will be taking into account the findings of this review in conjunction with the Forest Service to further strengthen the protection of our archaeological heritage. Taking account of all these measures, I am satisfied that the archaeological heritage is sufficiently protected from the threats posed by all afforestation activity.
198 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that all sites of cultural and heritage interest, including ring forts or other unexcavated locations of archaeological interest are protected, with particular reference to changes in land use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11052/01]
Archaeological sites and monuments known at the time of the compilation of the Record of Monuments and Places established under section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, have been included in the RMP and are protected by the provisions of section 12, which require that two months advance written notice of proposed works at or in relation to site or monument be given. Newly discovered archaeological sites or monuments will be included in future updates of the RMP but, if necessary, they can be afforded protection in the interim by entry in the Register of Historic Monuments under section 5 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987, which imposes similar obligations of notification. If necessary, and where there is a perceived to be an immediate threat to a site, a temporary preservation order or full preservation order can be made under the National Monuments Acts. In addition, there are a number of other measures in place which are aimed at safeguarding the archaeological heritage from the threats posed by land use changes. Among these are referral by planning authorities of development applications to my Department for comments and recommendations where the proposed development may impact on archaeological sites and monuments; similar referral process by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in relation to forestry and marine development applications; a code of practice is in place with the National Roads Authority dealing with the archaeological implications of major road projects and other similar codes are being discussed with other development sectors and the REPS scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development which requires that impacts on archaeological sites and monuments be avoided has over 40,000 participating farmers.
