Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 3

Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

253 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has received a report regarding an ancient habitation site at Cloona, Knockaphunta, Castlebar, County Mayo; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the landowner involved ceased planting operations there pending an official investigation of the site; if she will appoint an archaeologist to examine this site to assess its importance as an historical site and to determine whether planting should be allowed to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4144/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department, arranged that an archaeological inspection be carried out in this area of proposed afforestation. A number of archaeological sites were identified and I understand that agreement was reached with the landowner to have these sites, including a buffer zone around them, excluded from the proposed planting programme. In order to obviate the potentially damaging effects of afforestation, planting cannot be permitted in the excluded area. A further archaeological examination is not necessary at this juncture.