Vol. 524 No. 5
419 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her policy on the siting of telecommunications masts on archaeological sites, as in the case at Lisardboula, Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22909/00]
420 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will request a report from Dúchas regarding its views on the siting of a telecommunications mast on a neolithic site at Lisardboula, Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22910/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
My Department has no specific policy on the siting of telecommunications masts in the vicinity of archaeological sites provided such developments do not have a negative impact on the site in question.
In relation to the development referred to by the Deputy, the position is that there is an embanked enclosure which has been formally recorded as a national monument, in the same field as this development. As a recorded monument, this enclosure is legally protected under the National Monuments (Amendment) Acts, 1930 to 1994. Preliminary development work at this site, which involved the installation of an access road, did not in any way encroach on the physical remains of the monument.
Kerry County Council has granted planning permission for the development which takes into account the recommendations made by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. Rather than having a specific policy relating to telecommunications masts each case is examined on its merits to ensure that there is no adverse impact on the heritage.
