Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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224. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if any archaeological licence under section 26 under the National Monuments Act 1930 were issued in 2021; and the purpose for same. [2791/22]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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225. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an archaeological licence under section 26 under National Monuments Act 1930 was issued to Dublin City Council to allow it to commence enabling works on the historic Iveagh Market on Francis Street in the Liberties of Dublin; the date application was made and granted; and if conditions were attached. [2792/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

878 archaeological licenses were issued by my Department under Section 26 of the National Monuments Acts 1930 during 2021.

Digging or excavating for archaeological purposes can only be done under a license issued by me as Minister under section 26 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended). Applications for such licenses must be made to the National Monuments Service of my Department. Such licenses are issued to suitably qualified and experienced archaeologists for a variety of archaeological activities, both on land and underwater, ranging from limited excavations to test for the presence of archaeological material (“test excavation”) to full excavation. Licenses are subject to detailed conditions, including requirements for the submission of reports. Licenses can be extended or transferred with the approval of the National Monuments Service, acting on the Minister's behalf.

No Section 26 archaeological license has been issued to date to Dublin City Council in respect of the Iveagh Markets. However, I can confirm that an application for a license in respect of the Iveagh Markets has been received in my Department and that this application is currently being assessed in line with the provisions of the National Monuments Acts.