Press Release, Proinsias De Rossa, MEP, Labour Party,
10th. May 2007.

EU subsidies must not be used
- in destruction of Tara heritage

Speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels Labour MEP for Dublin, Proinsias De Rossa, called on Commissioner Dimas to intervene directly with Minister Roche to ensure that European subsidies provided to build the M3 are not facilitating the destruction of the recently discovered national heritage monument at Lismullin in the Tara-Skryne valley.

"The European Union requires that where subsidies are being provided for infrastructure in the Member States that steps are taken to protect not only the physical environment but also to ensure that important archaeological finds are properly protected".

"Dr. Pat Wallace, the Director of the National Museum has called for a complete archaeological excavation, but given that Minister Roche and his colleagues have been deaf to all the expert advice so far, there is a real risk that this priceless opportunity to learn more about our prehistory will be lost".

"In view of European investment in this motorway project it is essential that the Commission step in to ensure that a significant part of Irish heritage and by definition also a part of European heritage, is properly excavated, and that if necessary the M3 motorway be reconfigured to achieve that objective".

"If Minister Roche were to order a simple "recording" of the prehistoric "Wood Henge", one of more than thirty important sites so far discovered, and permit its burial under a motorway, rather than a full archaeological excavation, then he would I believe be responsible for an unforgivable act of official vandalism. If the Commission does not act then they would I believe be complicit in that vandalism".

"The blame for delays in this project lies squarely on the shoulders of the Minister and in pursuing the current route despite the availability of alternatives, and the advice received from independent experts that the Skryne Valley was in effect an archaeological "gold mine" and would inevitably result in delays if pursued".

For further Information call: Proinsias De Rossa, MEP, Socialist Group, European Parliament. Tel: 00 353 87 2544644.