Government stance on Tara is
disgraceful
MINISTER for the Environment John Gormley's stance, which
he's continually adopted since entering government, is
that he can do little regarding the Tara/M3 disgrace, as
all the damage was done before he came on board, his
hands are now tied by existing decisions, ministerial
orders and legislation, and he's powerless to act.
This isn't true, and the fact that Rip van Gormley has
suddenly woken up and has now elected to use his powers
under the flawed National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004
to make a temporary preservation order for a fort within
the Tara archaeological complex adjacent to the M3
construction gives lie to this assertion.
Gormley could also show a positive, pro-active approach
to his ministry by amending this act, which the European
Commission has pointed out categorically for months now
is repugnant to EU law. Later this month, the EU will
make a decision as to whether to proceed against the
government in this matter for its failure to heed EU
directives. Wouldn't it be nice if Gormley had decided to
head off this situation by making the correct, respectful
and EU-compliant amendments to the National Monuments Act
to reverse the 2004 amendments, instead of bringing this
situation down to the wire?
Recent weeks have seen many further protests against the
Tara/M3 situation and, of course, the government carrying
on blithely regardless. The rerouting of the road was
resolutely rejected by the government in coalition talks
with the Green Party back in May. The condemnation of
this road project has been global, with the US-based
World Monuments Fund placing Tara on their 100 most at
risk sites worldwide. The majority of Irish people favour
the road being rerouted away from this area. The
government's implacable attitude in the face of such huge
opposition merely indicates how much must be at stake for
them in doing a u-turn.
No effort has been made to address concerns raised by the
EU and I expect the government will continue to brazen it
out on this issue and if brought to defend their position
in the European Court of Justice will pay the heavy
penalties incurred, all courtesy of the Irish taxpayer,
thereby adding further insult to injury.
David Marlborough,
Kenilworth Park,
Dublin 6W.
© The Sunday Tribune, 14th. October 2007.
Related Articles:
Full Report of EU Petitions
Committee.
World Monument Fund, 2008 World Monuments
Watch List.
