Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the chief archeologist's academic qualifications. [5349/06]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the details of the chief archaeologist's academic qualifications. [5446/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 643 together.

The chief archaeologist post in my Department is occupied by an officer who holds a BA honours in archaeology and who has served in the national monuments service of the Office of Public Works, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government since 1976, dealing with a wide range of archaeological issues. These include the archaeological survey of Ireland, conservation programmes at national monuments and all aspects of development related archaeology.

It would be wrong to assume that academic qualifications should be the only or main criterion on which appointments within my Department or other public service organisations are made. The position in question requires strong leadership qualities, management skills and sound judgment, all of which are evident in this case. The incumbent enjoys the full confidence of his team and superiors, as well as my support.