Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the activities undertaken by the underwater archaeology unit in connection with national heritage week. [26351/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

During Heritage Week 2005, organised by my Department, the underwater archaeology unit presented talks on the work of the unit within the national monuments service to the following interested groups: 5 September, a public lecture on shipwrecks off the Irish coast in the Helen Roe theatre of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin; and 7 September, a public lecture on the maritime landscape of west Cork and related fieldwork of the underwater archaeology unit, hosted by Cork County Council. The underwater archaeology unit also participated in a presentation on the work of the national monuments section of my Department at the European Association of Archaeologists conference held in Cork during heritage week.

The underwater archaeology unit has always been pro-active in promoting awareness of our underwater heritage by giving talks to local historical societies, to dive and sailing clubs and other interested groups. The work of the unit has been covered in a positive way on radio, television and the print media. The results of the unit's work has been published in academic journals and in popular form and every effort is made to inform the public on the results of the unit's activities.