andMr. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the action he proposes to take in relation to the finding in the course of the current archaeological survey by the Office of Public Works that on average 15 per cent of the ancient monuments of which records were available have been destroyed in recent times.

The possibility of affording more effective legal protection to all ancient monuments is being considered in the context of proposals for updating the National Monuments Acts.

In the meantime the powers available to the Commissioners of Public Works under existing legislation are being availed of to an increasing extent to protect monuments.

Can the Minister say in relation to the findings of the archaeological survey what are the main reasons for the apparent destruction of 15 per cent of the ancient monuments of which records previously existed?

Is the Deputy talking about the steps to be taken for their protection?

I should like if the Minister could tell me in general what were the main reasons why 15 per cent of the national monuments of which records previously existed appear, according to this survey, to have since been destroyed? I am sure he will agree that this is a matter of serious concern.

To date survey work has been undertaken in nine counties— Louth, Monaghan, Westmeath, Meath, Longford, Cavan, Kildare, Dublin and Offaly. In the majority of these counties an inventory has been virtually completed and a scientific survey of all archaeological monuments up to about 1200 A.D. has either been completed or is well advanced.

That was not the question I asked. What are the reasons, as disclosed in the survey, why apparently 15 per cent of the monuments have been destroyed? I realise the reasons will not always be the same but I would like to have some general statement of the different reasons and the type of problems that have arisen.

Who is answering those questions?

This is a separate question.

If it is a separate question I take it I will be able to put down another question later.

Yes.

29.