EU Commission probes Tara
monument demolition
By - Ann Cahill, Europe
Correspondent.
THE planned demolition of the Lismullin national monument
in Tara to make way for the M3 motorway is being
investigated by the European Commission.
The National Roads Authority has been asked to explain
why an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was not
carried out on the site once the monument was discovered
during the road works.
The issue is part of the contention by the European
Commission that Ireland's planning regulations are not
fully in accord with EU law. They do not require an EIA
for demolition work.
The authorities have two months to answer the commission,
but MEP Kathy Sinnott has stated that the monument could
have disappeared by then.
"I am calling for an immediate moratorium on M3
construction. We cannot allow for the continued
destruction of our historic and cultural landmarks when
multiple viable alternatives exist for transport through
this area", she said.
Ms. Sinnott said the moratorium was necessary to sort out
the status of the various archaeological projects in the
area. There was an added urgency for the moratorium with
the destruction of a significant historical location near
Baronstown at 4am on July 4th. last.
The Lismullin site was discovered earlier this year, but
on June 29th. last the commission sent a reasoned opinion
"final warning" to the NRA expressing doubts about the
Irish National Monuments Act. This follows a warning sent
to Ireland over concerns that the effects of demolition
works are excluded from the scope of the environment
Impact Assessments Directives.
Recently Ms. Sinnott, who is the vice-chair of the
Parliament's Petitions Committee, brought a delegation to
the Hill of Tara after they had received a petition to
investigate the site.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley is to meet the
European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas in
Brussels tomorrow to discuss problems, including the
commission's contention that the National Development
Plan should be subject to the EIA Directive.
© The Irish Examiner, 12th. July 2007.
Related Articles:
EC court move to save Tara site may be too late.
Gormley
must reverse the decision on M3.
European Commission Intervention on M3.
EU
Commission Sends Warning on Tara.
Campaign welcomes moratorium call.
