Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 4

Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of artefacts or memorabilia found at historic sites throughout the country in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32122/01]

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

Artefacts are primarily found at historic sites through archaeological excavations licensed through Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. Over the past five years, the numbers of licences issued for archaeological excavation is 3,997. The breakdown is as follows; 1997: 487; 1998: 615; 1999: 760; 2000: 960; 2001: 1,175.

Some excavations may produce few finds, if any, while at others the numbers of finds can run to many thousands of artefacts. It would not be practicable to list or enumerate the numbers involved here. It is a condition, of each excavation licence that the licence holder should submit a report of work undertaken to Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, and to the National Museum of Ireland and that such reports may be consulted subject to certain conditions. In due course, all such finds must be deposited with the National Museum of Ireland or with such other institution as may be defined under Section 68 of the Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, as a designated place of safety.