Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 626: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made on the commitment given in the programme for Government to update and consolidate the law on national monuments. [17974/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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As the first stage in a major review of archaeological policy and practice in Ireland, my Department held a number of seminars in the latter half of 2007 to get the initial views of stakeholders on the scope of such a review. These seminars were attended by stakeholders from all areas working in, or with an interest in, archaeological heritage, including academic interests, commercial archaeologists, local authorities, infrastructure providers and local history groups.

To advance the review, I have decided that a dedicated committee of national and international professional experts in the fields of archaeology and built heritage should be established to assist and advise me in shaping best practice in archaeological heritage protection and how such protection should operate into the future. This Expert Advisory Committee has been given the task of analysing and prioritising the issues raised at the four consultation meetings and in 41 written submissions received subsequently by my Department. The committee will hold its first meeting on 22 May.

At a later stage, it is my intention to activate a Stakeholders Committee to engage with relevant stakeholders in developing agreement on how best practice as it emerges by way of recommendations from the Expert Committee can be given practical expression and resourced.

I intend that the outcome of this review will shape archaeological policy and practice into the future and that any recommendations for legislation amending the current National Monuments Acts will be brought to Government for approval later in 2008.