National Monuments Service plays a key role in the protection of the archaeological heritage and is responsible for:

• the identification and designation of monuments through the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, 
  
• assistance in the archaeological care of National Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister of   the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and managed by Office of Public Works,
  
• implementation of protective and regulatory controls (including licensing of excavations and making of Ministerial directions and consents) under the National Monuments Acts,
   
• the provision of heritage input and advice to planning and other consent authorities in respect of individual planning and other development applications, projects and plans,
  
• implementing legislative provisions in relation to protection of monuments and sites.
  

For further information on the National Monuments Service , including guidelines, publications, license application forms and the searchable Sites and Monuments Database, please visit the dedicated National Monuments Service website, http://www.archaeology.ie/