asked the Minister for Finance if there are sites in Dublin or any other urban area where major building developments are planned which are of a similar archaeological significance to the Wood Quay site and if so, the arrangements, if any, being made to have them excavated or, where necessary, declared to be national monuments.

I am not aware of any urban sites, where building developments are planned, which are of similar archaeological significance to Wood Quay.

Is the Minister aware that his office, in conjunction with the National Museum, have been carrying out a survey of archaeological sites in urban areas since 1977? Can the Minister indicate the general areas that have been discovered to be of archaeological significance in Dublin?

I have no information of any in Dublin. There are ones in Waterford, Naas, Tuam and Athenry.

Would the Minister agree that the publication of the findings of this study which has been going on since 1977, even on an interim basis, would be useful so that developers wishing to develop in a particular area would have advance notice that there may be archaeological matter in the area where they are proposing to develop?

That is a separate question altogether.

24.