Vol. 540 No. 1
396 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans she has to ensure that all historical and archaeological sites on the proposed routes of the new M9/10 are protected; the number of meetings she has had with the National Roads Authority in relation to this development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19882/01]
My Department has recently received copies of the proposed route corridor options relating to the M9/10 roadways. I understand that the National Roads Authority has retained archaeological consultants to carry out the required archaeological constraint studies on the proposed route options. As agreed under the code of practice between the NRA and my Department, a project archaeologist for this scheme is about to be appointed. The project archaeologist will be involved in the route selection process and will, in consultation with my officials, ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect and record the archaeological heritage. My officials will meet with the consultant archaeologists appointed by the NRA for the road scheme, when all the archaeological studies have been completed. I am satisfied that the code of practice, which aims to address the impacts of road development on the archaeological heritage, is operating effectively.
