European Commission Intervention on M3-Clonee-North of Kells Motorway
12th July 2007
The National Roads Authority would like to state for the record that the Authority has not been approached by the European Commission about the M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway and specifically the Lismullin national monument. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate.
Additionally, it is the Authority’s understanding, based on the media coverage of the matter that the European Commission’s concerns relate to Ireland’s planning regulations which, it is contended, do not fully accord with EU law concerning to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) directive. Media reports indicate that the European Commission has stated that an EIA should have been prepared for the directions issued to the Authority under National Monuments legislation relating to the national monument discovered by NRA archaeologists at Lismullin.
The National Roads Authority reiterates that it is operating in compliance with Irish legislation enacted for the purposes of giving effect to the EU Directive on the Environmental Impact Assessment and for the protection of national monuments. It is a matter for others to address any questions arising as to whether or not the Irish legislation concerned complies with EU law.
For further information please contact
Sean O’Neill 01 6658770 or 086 823 0600