§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make available additional funds to the historic buildings and ancient monuments branch of DOE, NI, for the purpose of encouraging early exploration of the archaeological site identified at Bridgend road, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAlthough archaeological excavation could improve understanding of the site it could also result in destruction of evidence in the area excavated. Such work is therefore carried out only as a last resort, for example, where approved development proposals might damage buried archaeological deposits. There are at present no approved development proposals for the Ballycarry site.
The archaeological site at Bridgend road, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim, has been identified as an ecclesiastical enclosure of early Christian period and medieval date. This identification is based on historical records and the evidence of aerial photography.