Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to the work being undertaken by his Department and the Office of Public Works regarding the restoration and reconstruction on the south peak of Skellig Michael, the way, a 9th Century altar came to be destroyed; if UNESCO were informed of the work being undertaken; if not, the reason for same; the further reason there is no world heritage management plan in place for the site and no management data available, which appears to be in breach of ICOMOS Guidelines; his views on whether the Skelligs' two separate designations as a special preservation area and a wildlife sanctuary require an environmental impact assessment to be completed prior to work commencing under the Habitat Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Conservation work on the monuments on Skellig Michael began in the late 1970s. The work now being undertaken on the South Peak by the Office of Public Works in conjunction with my Department is a continuation of a long term programme. The primary focus of the works in relation to the monastic remains on the South Peak is preserving and securing these remains from a real danger of further loss.

Work began on the South Peak during 2004, and is scheduled for completion in 2007. This has involved an excavation with subsequent consolidation and conservation. It has been necessary to carry out reconstruction work in certain areas to provide support for the existing structures which are vital to the preservation of the site. All archaeological works are carried out with consents of the Minister under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. The joint OPW-DoEHLG team responsible for the conservation and preservation work on the South Peak comprises professionals who are highly qualified and experienced to undertake such work, including a conservation architect and archaeologist who specialise in the Early Christian period.

There is no question of a 9th century altar being destroyed as referred to in the Question. The position is that most of the oratory in which the altar was located had collapsed over time, including the east wall, taking with it most of the original altar. During the process of excavation the remains of the altar were uncovered, in a very unstable condition. Further excavation revealed an open gully running under the church. In order to stabilise the church it was necessary to record the remains of the altar in situ and temporarily remove it under archeological supervision. Once the structural intervention had stabilised the church the altar was put back in its original position.

UNESCO were provided with detailed information regarding the proposed management strategy including the on-going and future conservation programme for the Skellig Michael site prior to it being inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1996. In relation to conservation works, it is stated on page 23 of the Nominations Documents that "the current programme of preservation and conservation works began in 1978 and will continue into the next millennium.... These works have necessitated major structural intervention in places; this has only been undertaken where there has been no other avenue open".

The type of work being undertaken at the site was presented to representatives of UNESCO, particularly in relation to authenticity, as part of the decision making process on the application for World Heritage Site designation. The fundamental approach to the preservation of the site has not changed. In addition, during the course of 2005 my Department submitted a detailed periodic reporting document to UNESCO on all facets of Skellig Michael.

With regard to the future of the site, my Department, in collaboration with OPW, is currently updating and expanding the management strategy set out prior to the 1996 inscription. It is hoped that a public consultation process on the new management plan for the site plan can be undertaken in early 2007 and that the plan will be published in April/May 2007, prior to the commencement of the 2007 visitor season.

A scientific expert from the National Parks and Wildlife Service also provided advice on the works and was satisfied that the works on the archaeological heritage of the site would not have a significant impact on the birdlife there. The stability of the bird populations on Skellig Michael throughout the work programme provides objective evidence that this advice was correct.