Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department is considering restricting the movement or activities of volunteer metal detectors in any revision of the archaeological and monuments Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10225/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The use of a detection devices will not be prohibited under the proposed Monuments and Archaeological Heritage Bill and as provided for under the existing legislative framework, the use of a detection device to search for or collect archaeological objects will continue to be a licensable activity. The unlicensed use of a detection device for the purposes outlined above will not be permitted and to do so will be an offence under the proposed Bill.

The need to safeguard archaeological objects is one of the primary pillars upon which the proposed Bill has been developed. Unfortunately, the reality is there are countless examples of the illicit export, import and sale of cultural property. While there are a range of disparate views on the issue of using detection devices to search for archaeology objects, the proposed approach continues the well-established position that a licensed regime provides the highest standard of protection available.