A major review of archaeological policy and practice was launched today by the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley.
The Minister stated that the aim of the review is to make policy towards protecting Irish archaeological heritage "the best there can be and to draw from the experience and advice of experts both at home and abroad to achieve this".
The review will look at a wide range of issues including the recording and protection of monuments, the designation of national monuments and how archaeological issues are dealt with in the planning process - both at development level and with regards to individual planning applications.
The review will also look at how archaeological matters are dealt with in the context of infrastructure development generally and in the context of approved road development in particular.
"I am resolute that when this process is finalised we will have a policy in place which will be the best internationally and which will afford our very valuable built heritage the protection it so richly deserves," said Mr Gormley.
The review is the first to have taken place since 1999 when the previous policy guidelines were issued.
There has been a huge increase since then in the number of archaeological excavations undertaken. At present 1,000 excavations per annum on average take place in Ireland, with 1,700 anticipated in 2007.