Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to liberalise the status of metal detecting here; her further plans to adopt a system similar to that used in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40816/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The use or possession of detection devices for archaeological purposes in Ireland is regulated under section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987. I am satisfied that the statutory provisions in place under our National Monuments Acts continue to provide a suitable framework in which to control undesirable treasure-hunting and illicit damage to archaeology and in these circumstances I do not propose to change the law in this respect.

The experience in the 1970s and earlier part of the 1980s was that the absence of specific statutory provisions regulating use of detection devices for archaeological purposes, and their possession on known archaeological sites, greatly contributed to an upsurge in improper and illicit removal of archaeological objects, causing serious harm and loss to our national archaeological heritage.

It was against that background that the Oireachtas enacted section 2 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987. I consider that the current level of statutory regulation, and the manner in which this is implemented, is reasonable, appropriate and necessary given the threat posed by illegal metal detectorists that is causing irreparable damage to our national heritage.

There is no outright prohibition on the use of detection devices for archaeological purposes in the Irish State under the National Monuments Acts. Rather it is an activity that is subject to statutory regulation which may be carried out lawfully if done under, and in accordance with, a consent granted by me.