Michael Creed
Ceist:9 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the value of antiquities and other heritage material exported from Ireland since the year 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Antiquities and Heritage Material.
Information for which my Department is responsible relates only to objects of archaeological importance. Since 1985, 303 licences have been issued in respect of the export of such material. In all instances the licences were for the temporary export only of the items and were for reasons such as radio carbon dating, conservation, geological identification or exhibition purposes. Archaeological objects are priceless in terms of our national heritage and it is, therefore, impossible to put a monetary value on them.
During the 1980s my colleague, Deputy Nealon, the first Minister with responsibility for arts and culture, established the Hamilton Commission to investigate this matter and I understand that it made a number of recommendations. Does the Minister intend to implement any of those recommendations, one of which related to the imposition of severe restrictions on the export of such material?
The Deputy will be aware that many of those recommendations have been accommodated in the national monuments legislation. Lest we forget, the first Minister for Culture was Count Plunkett — Deputy Nealon, my colleague the Minister of State and I came later. I am happy that we are addressing this issue and if further revisions are necessary I will carry them out.
On the question of putting a value on such material, it is only when an article has been removed from the heritage area and placed on the market that it assumes a monetary value. These are priceless aspects of our heritage and I will do everything possible to protect them — this will be done in the legislation — in the name of all the people. The very important right established in the national monuments legislation is based on the sovereignty of the people and their entitlement to their heritage from the moment they declared themselves independent.
I understand the Minister's reluctance to put a monetary value on antiquities and other heritage material, but has a monetary value been placed on such materials exported since 1985?
There are estimates. An item which was stolen and sold to a person in another jurisdiction would not have acquired a value in the true sense; it would have acquired a value among thieves.
In regard to the 303 licences which have been issued, has any monetary value been placed on the material exported?
I will communicate with the Deputy on whether any monetery value has been placed on items exported by people granted licences. To my knowledge these licences were issued for specific purposes and related mostly to dating and conservation. This issue may arise in regard to lending items for an exhibition where an indemnity bond is signed for the total value of the items on display. If further details are available I will be glad to give them to the Deputy.