22 March 2005

Arts

Correspondence between Arts Department and the National Museum

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will provide this Deputy with copies of any correspondence between his Department and the Director of the National Museum and the Chief State Archaeologist since 1 January 2005.

Minister For Arts, Sports & Tourism: I understand that there has been some correspondence between the Director of the National Museum and the Chief State Archaeologist regarding archaeological matters since 1 January 2005. I am advised that the correspondence relates to the consultative process set down in the National Monuments Amendment Act 2004 required to take place between the Minister for the Environment and the Director of the National Museum relating to directions to be issued by that Minister on the approach to be taken to archaeological works along the proposed route of the M3. This legal consultative process is ongoing and accordingly I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with a copy of the correspondence.