Campaign to Save Tara welcomes An Taisce court case on Tara

national | environment | news report Friday March 30, 2007 23:56 by Muireann Ni Bhrolchain - Campaign to Save Tara muireann at savetara dot com

The heritage organisation, An Taisce, seeks permission to challenge building of M3

Breaking news
Friday, 30 March 2007 15:42
The heritage organisation, An Taisce, is seeking permission from the
High Court to challenge the construction of the M3 motorway, in legal
action that could have implications for the State's entire road building
programme.
An Taisce says the National Roads Authority has failed to comply with
legislation obliging it to produce a draft plan for the construction and
maintenance of the national roads system every five years.
Because of this, it says the procedure followed in relation to the M3
motorway between Clonee and Kells is completely flawed.
An Taisce described the building of the M3 as having very major
consequences for a range of environmental issues, and it said it would
have adverse effects on the national monument at the Hill of Tara.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly refused to grant permission for An Taisce's
challenge without hearing from the NRA and the Minister for Transport,
Martin Cullen.
He said negotiations are underway and may even be completed between the
NRA and the contractor who is going to build the motorway.
Justice Kelly was not prepared to take the risk of jeopardising those
negotiations without hearing from the NRA.
The case will come before the court again next Wednesday when the NRA
and Minister Cullen will have the opportunity of making submissions.
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PRESS RELEASE - CAMPAIGN TO SAVE TARA

An Taisce M3 Move Warmly Welcomed
The Campaign to Save Tara today warmly welcomed the High Court action
taken by An Taisce against the Minister for Transport and the National
Roads Authority. The Campaign claims that much needed improvements and
upgrades to National routes, as well as the promised by-passes, are
stalled by the M3 proposal because of the contractual restrictions
placed on Meath County Council by the PPP funding mechanism.
The Campaign expressed dismay that Justice Kelly, who heard the
application today, cited the danger of jeopardizing commercial
negotiations between the NRA and private consortiums, as a reason for
refusing to grant permission for An Taisce's challenge.
In a statement Michael Canney from the Campaign to Save Tara said; ‘We
would have hoped that the historical and cultural importance of the Tara
complex and the urgency in preventing any further destruction, would
take precedence over any commercial concerns.’
Mr Canney added: ‘Our National routes are being deliberately downgraded
to make way for privately-owned and heavily tolled PPP motorways such as
the M3. The roads of Meath are a disgrace, and the commuters of the
county are bearing the brunt of a lack of investment in infrastructure
over the last decade.’
Recently in the Tara Valley an ancient burial ground, comprising of
stone-built underground chambers, has been dismantled and removed from
Rowestown. The National Monument at Rath Lugh has been damaged. The
archaeological digs have expanded to such an extent that the whole
proposed route south of the existing N3 has become one huge site. The
Discovery Programme, a state funded research effort undertaken in 1995,
described the Tara landscape as ‘a mosaic of monuments’. This was
rejected by the NRA before archaeology began.
Archeological works are now concentrated at Lismullen, and there is
speculation that a major new discovery has been made at this location.
Mr. Canney added: ‘The great lie from the NRA and the Government is that
this road will help ease the misery of commuters. Any new motorway
feeding directly into M50 at Blanchstown will have a minimal effect on
journey times. It will lead to greater traffic volumes and further chaos
on the already grossly overcrowded M50. Dropping this proposed route
would be the most sensible, practical, consensus building policy option,
and alternatives could deliver immediate relief for commuters.’
ENDS
For verification please call Kevin Hayes 01 2951562
Dr Muireann Ni Bhrolchain 0879249510
Michael Canney 086 8528200
http://www.savetara.com