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.