M3 ruling reveals a nation of philistines

THE recent announcement by Environment Minister Dick Roche that the tolled M3 motorway will proceed is probably one of the worst planning decisions ever made by an Irish Minister for the Environment.

We will be seen as the philistine capital of Europe - a nation that has sold its soul for profit. Our green image, touted at tourism fairs worldwide, is lost forever.

To add insult to injury, Mr Roche stated that “the directions which I have given represent a measured approach. They are both comprehensive and onerous. They protect heritage.”

And he added: “The planning system has been largely successful to date in maintaining the rural character of the area surrounding the Hill of Tara.” He also gave assurances that development would not happen in the area.

Motorways are intended to attract development. Newspapers have already reporting an interest in the land in the Skryne Valley and surrounding areas.

I had a meeting with the Taoiseach and Mr Roche two weeks before the Government made this announcement.

I presented them with a viable alternative, an integrated transport plan based on a combination of rail and the 2+1 road system favoured in Scandinavia. I assured the Taoiseach there would be no court case if the route did not go through the valley. They chose to ignore all this.

I said that the area should be nominated as a World Heritage Site and treated as a national park. The Government is proceeding with a costly, controversial process on the basis that the proper procedures were carried out.

This is clearly a political decision that has been made with a full understanding of the awful consequences.

If the NRA were instructed to move the route, they would have to do so.

We will not go away - those of us opposed to this wilful destruction of our precious past.

The war to save our country for our future continues.

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin

PRO

Save the Tara/Skryne Valley Group

58 Laurence Avenue

Maynooth

Co Kildare