EU Commission probes Tara monument demolition

THE planned demolition of the Lismullen 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 4 last.

The Lismullen site was discovered earlier this year, but on June 29 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.

Ann Cahill