Vol. 520 No. 2
18 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the action she will take arising from the recent report of the Heritage Council which found that important archaeological treasures were at risk because of inadequate site testing by archaeologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15320/00]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to her written Question No. 50 on 12 April 2000. As I indicated in that reply the Heritage Council report, Review of Archaeological Assessment and Monitoring Procedures in Ireland, notes that the standard of archaeological test excavation and of the reports submitted is not as high as we would wish it to be. However, it does not necessarily follow from this that important archaeological treasures are at risk since testing is just the first stage in the archaeological resolution of a site.
Archaeological testing is carried out to determine the nature, extent and complexity of the archaeological structures, features or deposits that may exist on a development site. In the majority of cases, test excavations are carried out by machine-dug trenches to the top of stratified archaeological deposits. Any further excavation to determine the depth of the archaeology is carried out by hand. The report submitted on the results of the test excavation is used to determine the requirements for further archaeological exca vations, avoidance of impacts or preservation in situ of structures or features.
However, I should point out to the Deputy that in some cases, there may be mitigating reasons why there may be less than accurate results from testing. For example, in urban areas, it may not be possible to carry out adequate test trenching at an early stage in the development process because of the presence of existing structures on the site prior to their demolition or the sites may be small or there may be neighbouring buildings. On large green-field sites, the excavation of a number of narrow test trenches may not give an accurate picture of the archaeology as testing in such cases is a hit and miss affair. The stripping of topsoil under archaeological supervision is a more productive method in such cases.
It has not been possible for my Department to maintain the level of its programme of inspecting archaeological test excavations in line with the hugely increased pace of such excavation work taking place on foot of the upsurge in development activity in recent years.
Additional Information
It is clear from the Heritage Council report that there is a desire amongst the private sector archaeologists for more inspection and advice from my officials.
However, I believe that the profession also needs to look at its own self-regulation and to ensure that proper standards are adhered to. It is to be expected that archaeologists will fulfil their role in a professional manner on foot of work licensed by my Department but unfortunately, this is not always the case. My Department cannot be held responsible for particular cases where sub-standard archaeological work by a licensed archaeologist is reported but licences can be, and have been, withheld subsequently if the terms and conditions of a previous licence have not been met by a particular archaeologist. It, therefore, remains a matter between the archaeologist and their client to provide an appropriate level of professional service while acting with the law.
For my part, I am currently examining ways to address these deficiencies. I am in the process of recruiting additional archaeologists and considering a repositioning of existing resources so as to introduce a programme of systematic site inspections and I am confident that this will have a significant beneficial effect on standards. Other initiatives involving a streamlining of the licensing system, a series of seminars and a set of guidelines on procedures and standards to be followed would also be desirable and will be pursued in conjunction with my plans to take on the additional archaeologists.
Despite the Minister's reply, does she not agree it is appalling that the report commissioned by the Heritage Council states that 34% of our archaeological monuments have been lost since 1840 and are currently being lost at a rate of 10% per decade? This calls for a number of urgent measures, not least that protection is carried out effectively under the provisions of the National Monuments Act, 1994. There is a need for archaeologists at all levels. Even though it is not the remit of the Minister's Department, each local authority should have an archaeologist. The archaeology section, Dúchas, should be allocated more staff. Otherwise, we will lose a huge part of this very important heritage.
The Deputy is correct that we were already aware of the views expressed by the Heritage Council. It was acknowledged by everyone that more archaeologists were needed to deal with the increase in building and the need for further development because of the Celtic tiger economy. There has been an increase in demand for archaeological licences in recent years. I ensured the Department cleared the backlog of these licences and that eight archaeologists will be recruited on a two year employment contract. Interviews for those positions are expected to take place soon. We need more archaeologists and I was happy to receive the approval of the Department for Finance to employ more personnel to deal with this ongoing issue.
Is the Minister confident she will be able to find those staff? Urban renewal schemes such as that in Monaghan town will result in more demand for archaeologists. It would be regrettable if those projects were held up because of a shortage of staff.
I am happy to say that eight archaeologists are being recruited at present. It is at interview stage and we would like them to start work as soon as possible.
Will they be on contract or are they long-term appointments?
They will be on a two year employment contract.
