asked the Minister for Finance the progress that has been made in inspecting, appraising and indexing monuments of national importance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Monuments and Gardens.
149.
Mr. Kenny
To supplement the records already available and the day-to-day programme of inspections carried out by the staff of the National Parks and Monuments Branch of the Office of Public Works a systematic archaeological survey of the whole country is being undertaken. The survey is in two parts, firstly, an inventory of all monuments and, secondly, a scientific survey of each monument. The survey is proceeding and at various stages of completion in Counties Louth, Monaghan, Meath, Westmeath, Longford and Cavan.
Is aerial photography part of this?
Mr. Kenny
It should be in view of the former question asked by Deputy Lemass. I cannot think of the apparatus he suggested.
Is that the "yoke"?
Mr. Kenny
We call it that for short but I do not think it is being used now. On account of the nature of the soil, it would not work.
Was an aerial survery not commenced some years ago?
Mr. Kenny
I could not answer that now.
Is the general survey proceeding?
Mr. Kenny
Yes, in those counties I have mentioned.
Can the Minister say what progress has been made in taking over some of these national monuments?
Mr. Kenny
We take over national monuments year by year but there are certain kinds of monuments that are not national and these may be interfered with under the present law because there is nothing to debar the owners from doing away with them if they so desire. We are trying to initiate a system whereby they will have to ask for permission to destroy these monuments if they wish. Already we have placed preservation orders on some of these, especially the earthenwork forts all over the country. These are disappearing day by day.
Is it intended to compensate these landowners?
That is a separate question.
Mr. Kenny
We did not enter into the question of compensation yet.
Can we be assured of the Parliamentary Secretary's personal interest in this matter of the preservation of national monuments? Is he satisfied he has enough staff and resources to deal with the problem? If not, is there any help that this House can give him in that regard?
Mr. Kenny
We are always short of staff in my Office. This is the fault of not having enough money to pay the staff.
The Parliamentary Secretary will have to look for more.
Mr. Kenny
Yes. In the Deputy's time it was the very same question.
I gave it a particular boost.
Mr. Kenny
Yes, the Deputy did. We still keep that up and we hope to increase it if we can.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary take a personal interest in this matter?
Mr. Kenny
I always take a personal interest in my work especially in the west.
150.
asked the Minister for Finance the action that has been taken with regard to the report of An Taisce concerning great gardens and historic monuments.
Mr. Kenny
The report is under consideration.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell me when he received the report and why so much consideration is required?
Mr. Kenny
It was received in April, 1969. The then Minister for Finance asked An Taisce to report to him as to what were the problems involved in the conservation of great houses and gardens in Ireland. In January, 1971, An Taisce presented their report to the Minister and it is still under consideration by him. It should soon be published. The Deputy will realise that the findings are confidential.
The Parliamentary Secretary is not prepared to give any information as to what legislation we may see in regard to this?
Mr. Kenny
As I said, the matter is confidential.