Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 4

Written Answers. - Historical Artefacts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

35 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the incentives she and her Department are providing to encourage the notification of all artefacts and other archaeological finds of a cultural, historical or heritage nature to the attention of the relevant authorities at the earliest possible date; if the recently discovered torc was an isolated case; if other similar discoveries have been reported; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31912/01]

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

The main incentive which exists to encourage finders to notify the National Museum of Ireland of the discovery of artefacts and archaeological finds is the system of reward payments which is in place. Rewards are generous and the criteria to be used in assessing rewards are laid down in section 10 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994.

The establishment of a series of designated museums throughout the country in accordance with section 68 of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, of which there are now some ten examples, assists finders who are enabled to make a report to the relevant local museum which will then inform the National Museum of Ireland. There are heavy penalties under section 13 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1994, should finders deliberately seek to conceal discoveries. The recent find of gold torcs is not an isolated find and over 60 similar torcs are known to have been discovered.