asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that the present legislation is adequate for the proper protection of national monuments; if he will make a statement on the number of monuments which have been either destroyed or tampered with within the last five years; and the number of prosecutions which have taken place in this time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Monuments.
23.
I am satisfied that the present national monuments legislation is adequate for the proper protection of national monuments. The National Monuments Act passed in 1930 was amended in 1954 and again in 1987. This latter amendment is particularly important in relation to present day threats to our archaeological heritage. Its provisions include restrictions on the use of detection devices, protection of sites of historic wrecks and greatly increased penalties for offenders. It is evident from the findings of the archaeological survey of Ireland that destruction rates vary in different parts of the country. However, specific figures for destruction in the last five years are not available. Six prosecutions have taken place in the last five years.
I am most disappointed with the Minister's reply; six prosecutions in five years. Is he not aware that even on the Clonmacnoise site alone, there has been much damage and vandalism and stones were stolen? This is a most inadequate reply and I ask the Minister to think again on this matter.
In relation to the Clonmacnoise site we have had successful prosecutions with very severe penalties imposed. It is important to recognise that there are 90,000 sites of archaeological interest and importance and it is very difficult to keep tight control over such a wide range of sites scattered over the whole State. The office and the archaeological personnel involved in this area are endeavouring to the very best of their ability to come to grips with these problems and we value and appreciate the huge volume of co-operation we now receive from the general public who at long last are becoming more aware of the importance of our heritage and of preservation, and we find incidents of this nature are on the downward trend rather than the other way.
Will the Minister agree that there is grave disquiet in many reports emanating from the media to the effect that there is a wholesale export business selling stones and material from historic sites, that this is not a matter to be pushed aside and that this is of grave concern? Can the Minister tell the House if he is aware of that, these items are being taken, exported and lost to the country's heritage forever? Has he any proposals to deal with that?
I am satisfied the legislation we have is adequate to deal with that. I do not accept that there is a wholesale racket in this regard. There have been isolated incidents and every effort has been made to bring the people concerned before the courts. Prosecutions have been taken. We had some very successful prosecutions in February, April, May and September of this year.