Archaeological Sites

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2016

Tuesday, 8 November 2016

Questions (289)

John McGuinness

Question:

289. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is satisfied that the recent salvage and recovery of artefacts from the RMS Lusitania has been carried out under licence from her Department; if she is further satisfied that the licence conditions are being complied with; and the level of archaeological supervision and input her Department, the National Monuments Service and the National Museum had in respect of the recovery of these artefacts from the RMS Lusitania. [33798/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The recent recovery of a telegraph from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania was undertaken with my Department's approval by the holder of a dive license granted by the Department’s National Monuments Service under the National Monuments Acts.

The telegraph is currently being conserved and its recovery and location has, I understand, been notified to the National Museum of Ireland by the owner of the wreck, as required by the licence.