Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied with his Department's role in the archaeological investigation of the Woodstown site in County Waterford; the steps he is taking to preserve and display the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30588/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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On 11 May 2005, I issued directions requiring the protection of the Viking site at Woodstown and announced the establishment of a working group to advise on the long-term strategy to preserve and manage the site. Security arrangements are in place to preserve the integrity of the site.

Subsequently nominees for the working group were sought and received from the National Museum of Ireland, the National Roads Authority, Waterford City Council and the Heritage Council. Mr. Maurice Hurley, Cork city archaeologist has agreed to participate and senior staff in my Department will also be represented.

The preliminary report on the archaeological investigations carried out from March to October 2004 was received in my Department only last week. A copy of the report will be forwarded to the nominees shortly with a view to scheduling the first meeting shortly.