Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:101 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made in 2000 in protecting our archaeological heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20242/00]
Written Answers. - Archaeological Heritage.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:124 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the progress made in regard to dealing with the serious concerns about inadequate site testing by archaeologists identified in the recent report of the Heritage Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20229/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 124 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, there has been an increasing impact on the archaeological heritage arising from the upsurge in development work on foot of our unprecedented economic growth and this led to unprecedented pressure on departmental resources earlier this year. I have now introduced a number of improvements which will support the protection of the archaeological heritage. These involve the following: the resolution of the long-standing contractual difficulties in relation to the archaeologists employed on contract – the people involved have now been given contracts of employment for five years; the provision of eight additional archaeological posts; addressing the backlog of licence reports and reducing the period for processing new applications; agreement on a code of practice with the National Roads Authority on the protection of archaeological sites under its road development programme – this code will serve as a model for similar codes with other development sectors with whom discussions are already under way; advancement of plans for the re-organisation of structures and resources that will give a regional focus to the operation of the archaeological services, thus providing better service delivery to many of the Department's customers and putting funding in place to assist local authorities to employ their own archaeologists. In addition, I hope to announce details shortly of the funding to be provided for the protection of the archaeological heritage under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
The measures outlined above will, among other things, enable more on-site inspections, including archaeological testing and excavations, to be carried out by my archaeological staff. This need was identified in the Heritage Council's report on inadequate site testing being undertaken by professional archaeologists. While the increased inspections will lead to improvements in the standard of excavation work, there is also a role to be played by the profession itself in the area of self-regulation. My officials have met the profession's representative group, the Irish Association of Professional Archaeologists, and the early indications are that progress can be made on a number of fronts.
These improvements are, of course, underpinned by the extensive legislation already in place which gives legal protection to some 120,000 archaeological sites and monuments. Even so, I am anxious to ensure that the legislation continues to meet our needs as the archaeological heritage faces up to the pressures of a new millennium. I have, therefore, initiated a review of the national monuments legislation and, following initial consultation, an "issues document" is in the course of finalisation. Other initiatives will also feature in the national heritage plan, which is currently in draft form and has been circulated to other Departments.
Finally, my Department continues its core activity of identification and validation of archaeological sites and monuments under the Archaeological Survey of Ireland. The information thus collected and disseminated is a vital tool in helping those involved in all aspects of land management to arrive at informed decisions. I am proposing to step up the rate of progress on the survey with the aim of having it completed by 2005. In tandem with this, plans are in train for the establishment of a built heritage archive, a much needed facility for those who require access to, and information on, the archaeological heritage as part of their professional, academic educational or other pursuits.
I trust the Deputies will agree that this year has seen a great deal of progress in the protection of the archaeological heritage and that further improvements will be made.
Question No. 102 taken with Question No. 98.