The Celtic League continues to press the Irish government over its plans to drive a major motorway through a ancient site at Tara. The Secretary General has written to the new Environment and Heritage Minister urging a rethink (below):
"RE: REP2212/DR/07
Dear Minister John Gormley
M3 Motorway
In response to your predecessor, Mr. Dick Roche, T.D ., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, letter to the Celtic League on 14th May regarding the building of the M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne valley, we would now like to raise again our concerns with you as the new Minister for the Environment.
We were disappointed by Mr. Dick Roche's standard response to our legitimate concerns raised with him on 29th April, because we felt that he had evaded the objections we clearly posed. With your appointment as the new Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government and a Green Party member, the Celtic League looked forward to a more considered assessment of the environmental and heritage issues that are at stake, with the building of the M3 motorway in line with the An Bord Pleanála 2002 plans.
We have therefore been further disappointed by the continued destruction of historic monuments and sites since you have taken up office, especially the Baronstown monument that was destroyed earlier this month, which had been recommended for National Monument status. As the new Minister, we urge you to review the documentation that was put in place by your predecessor and to call a moratorium on further construction work until a thorough independent assessment of the plans and their environmental and heritage impact is undertaken.
We are aware that you have met with the European Commission regarding the construction of the motorway and that a warning has been issued to the National Roads Authority. The Celtic League would appreciate it if a copy of your reply to the Commission could be forwarded on to us so that we are able to keep up to date with developments.
We look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot"
See also:
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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
18/07/07
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