First, I should like to point out the importance of this recently discovered archaeological site at Ushers Quay. It was more by chance than by direct archaeological digging that a very important Norman harbour was dis-discovered intact at Ushers Quay, not too far from the Wood Quay site. It is a strange irony that on this site we bear witness to perhaps the greatest bureaucratic blunder of all time, the civic offices now standing on the magnificent site of Wood Quay which is covered over for all time to the great shame of the authorities at the time.
I am pleased the Minister is here today and that I have been afforded the opportunity of highlighting the importance of this site which is a great treasure for the capital city. It is of significance that in the year that Dublin has been nominated European City of Culture we should do something about preserving this site. As I have said it is the most important site since the discovery of the Viking site at Wood Quay.
Dublin is rich in archaeological treasure. I appeal to the Minister to conduct an archaeological survey of all derelict sites within the city boundaries. Such a survey would reveal rich rewards. It is not a question of taking a chance to see if there is treasure, artefacts or clues that give identity to the past culture of our capital city. The treasure is there; it only has to be excavated.
One great example is the site for the new Jury's Hotel. It will be a scandal if this site is built on without it being properly excavated. I ask the Minister to give the House an assurance that that will not happen. There is a proposition to speed up that development and to carry out only a piecemeal type excavation, but that would not be satisfactory. To just stalk the ground and hope that some treasure or site is discovered would not be the proper technique to use. Dr. Clarke from Dublin University, who is chairman of the Friends of Medieval Dublin, has called for an archaeological survey, and I strongly support his views in that respect. There would be a spin-off to tourism and education and, indeed, to future generations. One of our greatest, exponents of this whole question, Father F. X. Martin, did great work in his day to bring to the fore the need to preserve all archaeological sites in Dublin. He was to the forefront in the dispute about the Wood Quay site.
Here we have a most important site which has just been discovered. I went to see it on Saturday and would urge anyone with an interest in this field to go down and view it. One can actually see part of the city wall of Dublin which is now a national monument and the remains of the harbour wall which kept out the tide, and some wood remains of boats. It leads on to another area which I am sure would be a means of bridging the north of the city and the south. The hurdles which give a clue to the very beginnings of our ancient city, Áth Cliath, the city of the hurdles, could be excavated quite easily. These remains are traced, to bridge between Augustine Street and Bow Street. That could be unearthed and money should be made available for such research.