Gormley has power to save Tara

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER 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 European Union 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 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 its 100 most at risk sites worldwide.

The majority of Irish people favour the road being re-routed 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, of which Gormley is a key figure, will continue to brazen it out on this issue.

David Marlborough

Kenilworth Park

Dublin 6W