To ask the Minister for Transport if the NRA or other authorities will use state of the art technology in order to determine the precise location of historic monuments, earthworks or settlements with a view to ensuring the elimination of costly delays and the protection of the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Bernard J. Durkan.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 7th July, 2004.
Ref No: 20844/04

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan, T.D.)

Reply

The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including investigation of identified archaeological sites discovered during the projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the local authority concerned.

I understand from the NRA that their work in this area is managed to the highest recognised standards and that where appropriate the use of state of the art technology including both Geophysical Studies and Aerial Studies are carried out on projects across the network as part of the planning programme.