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Gnáthamharc

Archaeological Sites.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004

Thursday, 30 September 2004

Ceisteanna (248, 249)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

249 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to avoid the repetition of procrastinated discussions, debate and legal action with serious financial consequences in the context of road or other modern development works that appear to impinge on historic sites or monuments; if he has given any instructions to the relevant authorities on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23082/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

250 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he proposes to take steps to prevent the destruction of national monuments, sites or buildings in the course of road or other building requirements, having due regard for the economic need and the potential to re-route such developments away from sensitive areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23083/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.

Under the planning, roads and other consent systems, major development projects are subject to environmental impact assessment in accordance with the requirement of EU Directive 85/377/EEC, as amended. This requires, inter alia, the preparation, by the proposer, of an environmental impact statement setting out details of the project and the likely significant effects of the development on the environment, including the cultural heritage. The EIA process allows for adverse effects to be identified at an early stage and necessary changes made by the proposer so that such effects can be avoided or minimised. The environmental impact statement must be taken into account by the consent authority in making its decision on the proposed project.

The National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 which was enacted in July introduces, inter alia, new arrangements to simplify procedures under the National Monuments Acts as regards approved road developments; and to cater for a situation where a national monument is newly discovered which may not have been anticipated in the EIS. All development works must be carried out in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004 which provide for the safeguarding of monuments and archaeological sites. My Department’s framework and principles for the protection of the archaeological heritage address the protection of the archaeological heritage in the context of development: while development should attempt, where possible, to avoid impacts on the archaeological heritage and through preservation in-situ, nonetheless preservation by record, through archaeological excavation and recording, may also be acceptable. The Department is consulted on all development applications affecting the archaeological heritage, which number some 9,000 per annum. This consultation process allows for inputs to ensure that archaeological considerations are taken into account as part of the approval process.

My Department is also actively engaged with the development sector to ensure that archaeological considerations are taken into account at the earliest stage in project design. Codes of practice for the protection of the archaeological heritage are already in place with a number of development bodies including the National Roads Authority, Coillte, the ESB National Grid, Bord Gáis and the Irish Concrete Federation. A Bill to consolidate the national monuments code is currently in preparation and in this context consideration will be given to what further changes might be made to improve current systems and procedures. All of these initiatives are aimed at improving the balance between conservation and development in an open and transparent way whilst endeavouring to smooth the approvals processes and I am satisfied that progress has been made in this regard in recent years. Nevertheless, as the Deputy will appreciate, notwithstanding the various checks and balances that are in place, situations will inevitably arise where some parties may seek to have their grievances addressed by way of legal action.

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