Vol. 481 No. 4
216 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands her Department's policy in relation to the identification and protection of wrecks off Irish coasts; the plans, if any, there are to use such wrecks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16443/97]
The identification and protection of wrecks off the Irish coast is a matter of concern for my Department. A unit within the national monuments and historic properties service of my Department was set up earlier this year to produce a paper survey of these wrecks, and I expect that this survey will be completed early in the year 2000. On completion of the survey the question of the protection of any significant wrecks will be addressed. In the meantime, my Department will, of course, continue to provide the existing legal protection available to any significant wreck which it considers to be vulnerable.
