Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which interesting artefacts or discoveries have been made through archaeological excavations or otherwise in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15682/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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There has been an unprecedented level of infrastructural and private development work in Ireland in recent years. In 2003 there were more than 2500 licensed excavations, the vast majority of which were development led. These excavations have covered all periods from the prehistoric period through to modern times and included archaeological activity in every county. The nature and volume of artefacts recovered has varied hugely in line with the nature and extent of developments and the types of archaeological sites affected. In many instances concentrations of artefacts have been discovered where no monuments were previously recorded or visible.

All archaeological objects which have no known owner at the time of discovery and which are found in this way, are the property of the State and become part of the national collections. Both the artefacts and the information and knowledge gained from their excavation can then be made available for the benefit of all and at a number of different levels.