MONUMENTAL ISSUES WHAT DO CHARTERED SURVEYORS NEED TO KNOW WHEN WORKING ON A SITE WHERE A NATIONAL MONUMENT IS LOCATED?
G
iven the proliferation of archaeological monuments in the Irish landscape, it is highly likely that Chartered Surveyors will be involved with properties containing such structures at some time in their professional careers. This article gives an outline of the legal, documentary and surveying issues related to these monuments that might
be helpful to the surveyor.
Legislation
The legal basis for the care and protection of monuments is provided by the following acts of the Oireachtas: ■ National Monument Act 1930 (the primary act); ■ National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1954; ■ National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1987; ■ National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994; and, ■ National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004. The primary act defines what constitutes a monument. It further defines what makes a monument a national monument. Responsibility for the protection of monuments was vested originally in the Commissioners of Public Works (CofPW) or the relevant local authority, depending on circumstances. This responsibility currently lies with the National Monuments Service.
Documentation The documentation of monuments is extensive and at times confusing. It consists of the following databases and publications:
FEATURE Muiris de Buitléir Geomatics Committee; joint SCSI representative, Council of European Geodetic Surveyors.
26
SURVEYORS JOURNAL Volume 11, Issue 2, Summer 2021
