Calling formally on the
Commission to act
Written Question E-0845/08
by Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM)
to the Commission
Subject: Calling formally on the Commission to act
In the ongoing situation in the Tara-Skryne Valley in Co
Meath, Ireland, the Commission is aware that Ireland has
breached its environmental law, the 2004 National
Monuments Act. Due to a lack of action on the part of the
Irish Government, citizens have turned to the European
Union for assistance.
Is the Commission aware that it itself has funded
€2.9million towards the planning and design of the
M3 Motorway, which has breached various laws and held
flawed archaeological examinations? In light of this, the
Commission should hasten its action on the matter and
address the call for an injunction.
How will the Commission respond to a formal call to act
on the situation?
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E-0845/08EN
Answer given by Mrs. Hübner
on behalf of the Commission
(18.3.2008)
The Commission is fully aware of the prevailing situation
in relation to the proposed construction of the M3
motorway through the Tara-Skryne valley. The Commission
further notes that construction of the proposed route is
blocked.
Issues arising from the proposed construction are
currently the subject of an infringement procedure being
dealt with by the Directorate-General responsible for
Environment. The infringement procedure concerns possible
non-compliance by the Irish authorities with the
Environmental Impact Assessment Directive as it applies
to the discovery of sites of archaeological importance at
a late stage in the construction authorisation process.
Because of unresolved differences of legal opinion
concerning the degree of compliance of national
legislation with the requirements of European law, the
Commission has decided to launch proceedings in the
European Court of Justice.
The Commission acknowledges that ERDF (European Regional
Development Fund) funding was granted for the design and
planning of the proposed section of the motorway. There
is nothing to suggest, however,that the expenditure
concerned has been improperly incurred in terms of
Article 12 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 .
Footnotes: Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985
on the assessment of the effects of certain public and
private projects on the environment, OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.
Amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997, OJ
L 73, 14.3.1997. Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of
21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the
Structural Funds, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.
Related Articles:
Commission Injunction: on desecration of Historical
Monuments along M3..
Commission
to bring EIA case to the European Court of
Justice.
EU
Petitions Committee pleads for Tara.
Letter to John Gormley from Marcin Libicki, Chairman, EU
Petitions Committee.
John
Gormley can and must reverse the decision on M3 and
Tara.
Commission
Sends Warning on Tara: All Work at Tara Must Stop!
