asked the Minister for Education if any report on the archaeological excavation carried out at the High Street site in Dublin by the National Museum has yet been published; if so, when and where; and if a report of the finding of objects has been lodged in accordance with the terms of section 23 of the National Monuments Act, 1930.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Archaeological Excavations.
12.
A report on the archaeological excavation carried out at the High Street site in Dublin by the National Museum has not been published. Finds of archaeological objects have been reported in accordance with the terms of the National Monuments Acts, 1930 and 1954.
Does the Minister consider it satisfactory that an excavation has been carried out with public funds by a public body, the National Museum, at considerable expense and that a report of that excavation has not been published in view of the fact that a large part of the value of an archaeological excavation is derived from the publication of the results?
The Minister would agree.
When does the Minister expect the report of this excavation to be published?
I am sure the Deputy is very mindful of the fact that the officer who carried out that report is also a key officer in the excavations which are taking place at the moment and, regrettably, he has not been free to make the report. On the other hand, one can take some consolation from the fact that the finds are there and that the information is there from which the report can be prepared.
Would it be possible for another officer to prepare this report or if for some reason this particular officer was unable to do so would all the information be lost forever?
I would remind the Deputy that in this area there is the concern that most academics have in respect of what they do themselves. Apart from that, ideally I believe the person who carried out the excavation should be the person who prepares the report. I hope the officer in question will be freed from other duties so that the report, which the Deputy wishes that we have and which I wish to have, will be made available.
Is it not true that this excavation was completed about eight or nine years ago and that no report has been published?
That is true.
Would the Minister light a medieval fire under somebody?
Is it right to say that the information available from the Minister's recent answers indicates that there appears to be a shortage of staff in this area, where the staff have to deal with surveys and get involved in the archaeological work as well?
It is the question of the employment of the best qualified staff at any given time for what is regarded as top priority.
Question No. 13.
Might I be allowed to ask a question?
We must proceed. We have already had 11 questions on it.
Is there a shortage of staff in this general area? Is the Minister taking any steps to remedy that?
There is a shortage of qualified staff.
What steps is the Minister taking to remedy that?
We have had consultations with Public Service and we hope that that position will be remedied.
Have any extra jobs been created as yet?
Jobs have been created but unfortunately——
And filled?
Yes. We have appointed people to particular jobs but we have not had available to us the type of people who would be qualified to replace the officers who have been carrying out this work. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that one does not produce this type of person overnight.
It is not overnight. It is two years ago.
13.
asked the Minister for Education if any report on any of the archaeological excavations carried out at Wood Quay by the National Museum have yet been published; if so, when and where; and if the finding of objects there has been reported in accordance with the terms of section 23 of the National Monuments Act, 1930.
A report on the archaeological excavations carried out at Wood Quay by the National Museum has not yet been published. The finding of archaeological objects there has been reported in accordance with the terms of the National Monuments Acts 1930 and 1954.
Will the Minister state when he expects publication of the results of this survey? Does he expect that an interim report will be published in view of the great public interest in Wood Quay?
As I indicated when answering an earlier question, I am concerned that at least an interim report should be made available, and I have indicated to the Director of the National Museum that he should apply himself to having this done as soon as possible. I have been assured by him that it will be done, and I hope the interim report will be available as soon as possible.