asked the Minister for Finance if he will reinstate the annual research grant of £100,000 for archaeological excavations; the reason no such grant has been made available this year; and whether the annual funding that would normally be reserved for research excavations is being utilised by the Office of Public Works for the carrying out of excavations at Dublin Castle.

6.

asked the Minister for Finance the reason it was decided to rescind the grant towards archaeological research work for the forthcoming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. A major archaeological excavation at Dublin Castle must be completed this year to enable the construction of the new conference centre planned for the site to be ready for the next Irish Presidency of the EC in 1990. In view of the large expenditure of approximately £300,000 which must be allocated to this excavation in the current year, and the need to keep within financial allocations, it was not possible to make the usual funds for archaeological research excavations available this year. I am in correspondence with the Royal Irish Academy and I am at present considering the possibility of making some funds available for these excavations in 1986.

I would draw Deputy Andrews' attention to the wording of this question which refers to archaeological research work for the forthcoming year. There is no question of a decision having been made to rescind grants apart from this year.

Is the Minister saying that there is a possibility of some additional funding being made available this year and that that matter is now being considered?

That is correct.

Is the Minister in a position to indicate when there is a likelihood of a further decision on this matter? As the Minister may be aware, there are a number of proposed works in the excavation area for which there is a general belief that they should be undertaken or continued this year and those works are being held up at present.

I assure the Deputy that I am very unhappy at the present position and I am in consultations with the Commissioners of Public Works on an almost daily basis. I hope within the next week or fortnight to have something more to say on that matter.