asked the Minister for Finance the conditions that are attached to the granting of licences to persons seeking access to under-sea shipwrecks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Under-sea Shipwrecks.
101.
In pursuance of the provisons of section 3 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987, licences to dive on underwater shipwrecks may be issued by the Commissioners of Public Works following consultation with the Minister for the Marine. The conditions which may be attached to such licences vary from case to case but, in general, the following conditions apply:
1. No part or parts of the wreck, or of the artefacts contained therein, or discovered in its vicinity, shall be interfered with or removed by the licensee, except on the advice of an archaeological consultant approved by the commissioners;
2. No disturbance of the overburdens of sand shall take place in the vicinity of the wreck;
3. If the wreck is being surveyed, a report of the results of the survey shall be submitted to the commissioners within three months of the date of the expiry of the licence;
4. No liability shall attach to the commissioners in regard to any matter in any way arising from the granting of the licence.