asked the Taoiseach the number of finds of treasure which have been submitted to the National Museum over the past year; the way in which this figure compares with those for the past five years; the type of treasure which is handed in; and its approximate value for each of the five years.

Treasure, or treasure trove, is defined as gold or silver in bullion, plate or coin concealed with the intention of recovery at some later date. The table below gives details in relation to amounts of treasure trove acquired by the National Museum in the years 1983-1988. It also gives details of objects of base metals and other materials which do not constitute treasure trove, although often of great archaeological or historical importance, acquired by the Museum over the same period. It is not the practice to provide valuations of material but the total cost of acquisition/finders rewards in each year is as follows: