18 May 2005

Environment

Minister's Tara Letter

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of correspondence received in 2005 from the director of the National Museum regarding the Minister's pending decision regarding archaeological works along the route of the proposed M3 motorway in the vicinity of the Hill of Tara (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government:

Section 14A of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended) provides that, before directions are issued by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to a road authority in relation to the carrying out of archaeological works connected with a road development which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála or in relation to a newly discovered national monument on the route of such a road, the Director of the National Museum of Ireland is to be consulted. 

I met the Director on 1 March 2005 in relation to the issue of directions in respect of two cases and provided him with a copy of the proposed directions in each case. A written response was subsequently furnished by the Director as regards each case. These related to an archaeological site at Woodstown, County Waterford and also to the carrying out of archaeological works at locations along the Dunshaughlin to Navan section of the proposed M3 motorway. 

The directions themselves were made publicly available last week once issued. I have arranged within my Department to have copies of all correspondence with the National Museum regarding the carrying out of archaeological works at locations along the Dunshaughlin to Navan section of the proposed M3 motorway issued to the Deputies today.