Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
1324 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will make a decision regarding the Woodstown archaeological site in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1024/05]
View answerThe Viking site at Woodstown was discovered during the course of archaeological investigations in advance of the construction of the N25 Waterford bypass which were being carried out on behalf of Waterford City Council under the auspices of the NRA. A report on the outcome of these archaeological investigations which identified a previously unknown Viking site was submitted to my Department and is available on the NRA website.
My Department issued directions under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 requiring further studies to be carried out by the road developers to establish the archaeological potential of a marsh area at the western end of the site and the reports on the results of these additional investigations have been submitted. The above earlier reports are being examined with a view to preparing further directions for issue to the road authority regarding the site. These would issue following consultation with the National Museum in accordance with the provisions of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. I intend that this process will be completed as soon as possible.
