John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a possible famine site (details supplied); if he will authorise a site investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I am advised that a granite pillar was brought to the attention of my Department’s National Monuments Service as possible evidence of the existence of a famine graveyard at the location in question. However, I understand that the Department’s view is that the origins and associations of the pillar are unlikely to relate to burials.

While there is insufficient evidence at this point for the marker to be recorded as an archaeological monument, I understand that the Department has given guidance to assist local investigations to find out more about it and will also be happy to provide advice on any such further information that may come to light.

If the group that has raised the matter with my Department wishes to arrange an archaeological assessment of the site, its best course would be to contact the landowners, and, if the latter are agreeable, to then submit the necessary license application to the Department for consideration under the National Monuments Acts.