Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the process for designation of the recently discovered human remains from the Iron Age period at a site (details supplied) as a national monument and a site of local significance; if protection will be introduced to secure this site and prevent damage or plundering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45550/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The State Pathologist’s Office has investigated the human remains recently exposed in this case by Storm Ophelia and has determined that they are of ancient origin. As a consequence, National Museum of Ireland officials in consultation with officials from my Department’s National Monuments Service, have carefully removed the visible remains for safekeeping.

My Department is arranging for further archaeological investigations to be carried out which will help to both inform and contextualise the discovery. While it has been reported that the site might date to the Iron Age, this cannot be determined categorically ahead of the planned further investigations. The site itself will ultimately be entered onto the Sites and Monuments Record and will thus be protected under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. 

I want to commend the local community for promptly reporting the matter and to thank them and  the local authority for securing the site, for preventing unwanted interference and for its co-operation with the planned further investigations that are about to take place.    

This discovery also highlights the significant risks to our vulnerable archaeological monuments and historic buildings from extreme weather events. I am accordingly supporting the adoption, by the end of 2018, of a formal Sectorial Climate Adaptation Plan for Built and Archaeological Heritage which will identify risks and appropriate mitigation measures to help safeguard our heritage for future generations.