Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 5

Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.

Enda Kenny

Question:

143 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if an archaeological exclusion area exists at Rathcroghan on the N5 route, which extends for six kilometres north and south of the main N5 road, as set out in an information note prepared by the NRA on the N5 Longford to Westport route and the N26 Ballina to Swinford route prepared in January 2002; the position in so far as development within this archaeological exclusion area is concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9602/02]

Enda Kenny

Question:

144 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to an information note prepared by the NRA in January 2002 on the N5 Longford to Westport route, which reports that an archaeological no go area of 127 square kilometres exists near Rathcroghan west of Tulsk, County Roscommon on the main N5 route between Ballinagar and Strokestown; if, under normal archaeological excavation conditions, such an area would not preclude the development of a national primary route as proposed for the N5 through this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9603/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.

Rathcroghan is the name given to an area comprising several townlands in which there is a significant complex of ancient monuments. For several centuries it has been equated with the celebrated royal site of Cruachain of early Irish epic literature. Rathcroghan today comprises a collection of several different types of monument – enclosures, burial mounds and other earthworks – scattered over some 1,000 hectares, four square miles, of elevated ground. It is the combination of certain monument types in an elevated position which distinguishes the Rathcroghan complex and which affords comparison with sites such as Tara, County Meath.

I am aware of the contents of the information note, prepared in January 2002 by the National Roads Authority for the Cabinet sub-committee on infrastructure which identified the area between Bellanagare to Strokestown as being very rich in archaeology particularly near Rathcroghan and this would pose a significant constraint in relation to upgrading of the N5 Longford to Westport route.

I understand that in March 2001 Roscommon County Council and the NRA commissioned a study of the Roscommon section of the road. The aims of the study were: to determine an overall strategy for the route and to formulate a five year restoration programme to quantify the remedial works required to restore the N5 to satisfactory condition.

This report is nearing completion but it will clearly identify that the area in the vicinity of Rathcroghan "contains an extremely dense network of important archaeological features" and that this area "is a no-go area from a road development point of view". While no formal exclusion zone has been designated in this area, my Department would be obliged to have full regard to the contents of this report. My Department would have serious concerns with any major development in the Rathcroghan area notwithstanding any mitigation strategy, such as extensive archaeological excavation, that might emerge. Indeed, the code of practice that I agreed with the NRA in 2000 has the objective of undertaking very early planning so as to avoid this type of development impact on our archaeological heritage.

The implementation of the code of practice is working well and my Department is still in discussions with the NRA with regard to options for the N5 in the Rathcroghan area. These discussions are expected to be concluded in the near future.

Enda Kenny

Question:

145 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the policy followed by her Department in the determination of archaeological exclusion zones; if this responsibility is entirely within the remit of her Department; and the criteria which are laid down and assessed by her Department prior to the determination of a locality to be deemed an archaeological exclusion zone. [9604/02]

Enda Kenny

Question:

146 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the criteria which are used for the determination of archaeological exclusion zones or no go archaeological zones in any part of the country; if her Department, together with Dúchas and the National Heritage Agency, are the only bodies so enabled to determine archaeological exclusion zones; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9605/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

My Department's overall policy on the protection of the archaeological heritage is set out in the publication Framework and Principles for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage. Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, has responsibility for the protection of some 120,000 archaeological sites and monuments included in the record of monuments and place under The National Monuments Acts, 1930-1994. In practice, Dúchas works in close liaison with the land use authorities, mainly the local planning authorities, in helping to protect these sites and monuments arising largely from development impacts. Where development proposals are deemed likely to impact on a monument, Dúchas will usually propose a buffer zone of 20 metres width, measured from the outer edge of the perimeter of the site. In other cases, such as ecclesiastical sites or national monuments in State care a buffer zone of 50 metres may be recommended to allow for the visual amenity of the monument.

In principle, Dúchas would not support proposals for development within a buffer zone. However, all development proposals are assessed on a case-by-case basis and where it is shown that a development will not interfere with the archaeology of a site or, where satisfactory mitigation is to be carried out, such as archaeological excavation, development within a buffer zone may not be opposed. In particular, archaeological sites and monuments situated in urban areas where there has already been extensive development over many years will often fall into this category. However, decisions in regard to planning applications are not, and cannot be, made by Dúchas but are the responsibility of the relevant planning authority and An Bord Pleanála.

The Deputy will also be aware of the work of planning authorities in devising policies for the protection of the archaeological heritage under the various development plans. In a number of cases where sensitive archaeological complexes are concerned, such as at The Boyne Valley and Loughcrew in County Meath, zones of archaeological interest have been included in the plan with the objective of controlling inappropriate development within these zones.

In recent times, I have also entered into codes of practice with a number of development bodies including Bord Na Móna, the NRA, Bord Gáis and the Irish Concrete Federation. The aim of these codes is to provide for early planning so as to avoid impacts on archaeological sites and monuments so that effectively such sites have agreed buffer zones established well in advance of development work.