Motorway a fiasco from the start

THE news of the discovery of a site of major archaeological importance in the Tara-Skryne Valley is exciting.

That it has happened in the run-up to the general election is even more disquieting, as it shows the assessments made by those involved in the ludicrous decision to route the motorway in this area are now coming back to haunt them. Hopefully, it will also revive the issue in the minds of the electorate.

Environment Minister Dick Roche ploughed on with the situation, ignoring expert advice, including that of National Museum director Dr Pat Wallace, who opposed the chosen route.

After a site inspection by the National Monuments Service, Mr Roche is now forced, under legislative procedure, to consult Dr Wallace — and work may have to be suspended on the motorway.

If a new administration takes over, comprising of the Greens and Labour (who are on record as opposing the route), this suspension may become permanent. This will incur further needless delay upon local people in that area, who would most likely be using the M3 by now if it had have been routed more sensitively and sensibly in the first place.

The whole motorway issue has been a fiasco, showing complete disrespect for our heritage and underling the same unenlightened, grasping, “cute hoor” syndrome which has been the defining feature of this administration, and, indeed, many others for decades before.

Nothing has been learnt from previous tragedies such as the destruction of the Wood Quay Viking site in the 1980s. Despite our affluence and apparent veneer of enlightenment, the same peasant mentality which prevailed in certain quarters in this country for eons continues unabated.

This needs to be an election issue. Wouldn’t it be poetic justice indeed if, even in some way, it extinguished the prospects of those responsible for the debacle from holding high office again?

David Marlborough

103 Kenilworth Park

Dublin 6W