Archaeological Sites.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004

Tuesday, 24 February 2004

Ceisteanna (380)

John Bruton

Ceist:

481 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the name of the person who was licensed to conduct each one of the 1,514 licensed archaeological excavations conducted between 1997 and 2002 in respect of which a report is not, at this stage, lodged and available for inspection in the files available to the public of reports of licensed excavations; the date of the licences in respect of each of the 1,514 licences; the location of the excavation; the purpose for which the excavation in question was licensed; if the excavation is complete; the action taken in respect of the non-lodgement of the report in question; and if licences were issued for archaeological excavations to the person in question on the matter. [5614/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

The submission of excavation reports is a very important element of the archaeological licensing system. The vast majority of reports have been received over the years since 1930 when licensing was introduced. However, my Department is still working to establish a definitive database of outstanding reports. This will involve verifying the information on the Department's database with the licensed archaeologists. A timescale for submission of outstanding reports with individual archaeologists will also be agreed. It is expected that this work will be completed by the end of this year. In the circumstances it is not possible to provide the detailed information sought.