Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Monuments.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

27 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the archaeological staff she has available to her to monitor developments by both commercial interests and local authorities to ensure that ancient monuments are not being destroyed or damaged in the course of their work; and if she has satisfied herself that there is not an alarming rate of this type of activity around the country. [31919/01]

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

The monitoring of developments by commercial interests and local authorities is generally undertaken by private archaeologists under licence from my Department. Under the planning code, local authorities should refer details to my Department of proposed developments sponsored by both the private sector and public sector, where such development may impact on the archaeological heritage. There is a similar referral process by the Department of Marine and Natural Resources regarding forestry and marine development applications. This enables my Department to assess the potential impacts, so as to make recommendations on appropriate avoidance or mitigation measures to be taken. Such measures are normally achieved through conditions of planning permission.

In addition, my Department contributes to the development plan process where strategic objectives for the protection of the archaeological heritage by local authorises can be addressed as policy issues. I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the REP scheme operated by Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, which requires that impacts on archaeological sites and monuments be avoided. This scheme has over 40,000 participating farmers.

My Department also has agreed codes of practice with Bord na Móna, the National Roads Authority and Bord Gáis in relation to the mitigation of their development impacts on the archaeological heritage. Further codes with other development sectors are expected to be formalised in the near future.

Notwithstanding these measures, there remains some concern about levels of destruction to our archaeological sites and monuments. As result, I have increased the number of archaeologists working in my Department. This has enabled me to make significant improvements our archaeological services. Of the 30 archaeologists currently working in my Department, up to 11 can be involved in monitoring of developments.

I am also conscious of the importance of having strong and up-to-date legislation to underpin all these measures and, with this in mind, I have initiated a review of the National Monuments Acts with a view to their strengthening and consolidation as the archaeological heritage faces pressures posed by the unprecedented changes being made in our historic landscape. I am pleased that the draft heads of legislation for the proposed consolidation of national monuments legislation were approved by the Government in October and are now with the office of the parliamentary counsel.