Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Architectural Heritage.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

134 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if Dúchas is aware of the unavoidable archaeological protection implications of the forthcoming River Griffeen flood alleviation scheme in Lucan, County Dublin; if she, through Dúchas and in co-operation with South Dublin County Council, will ensure the much needed alleviation works will take place without risk of damage to King John's bridge or the other sensitive heritage locations in Lucan village and its environs. [2978/02]

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

My Department is aware of the proposed River Griffeen flood alleviation scheme. Since October 2000 my Department has been working with South Dublin County Council from an archaeological and architectural perspective.

King John's bridge is included in the Record of Monuments and Places for Dublin, RMP No. DU 017:078 Bridge. Therefore, it is protected under the provisions of the National Monuments Acts, 1930-1994. My Department recommended to the county council that a suitably qualified archaeologist be engaged to carry out an archaeological assessment of the bridge. This assessment would address the following and be submitted prior to the commencement of works: a survey and photographic record of King John's bridge; the methodology for the protection of the bridge during works; a conservation plan for the continued protection and restoration of the bridge after the proposed works are complete; and a programme of test excavation, under licence to my department, to be undertaken in the vicinity of the bridge to determine the nature, extent and location of any subsurface archaeological deposits. It will be necessary for the report stemming from the test excavation to contain an impact statement and mitigatory measures should archaeological features be discovered.

My Department has also made it clear that the archaeologist should monitor all ground disturbance and topsoil removal associated with the proposed development.