Business people in Meath have come out in favour of the construction of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara.
Leaders of Chambers of Commerce from Navan, Kells and Trim have written to local elected representatives and several Government ministers urging them to back the controversial proposed route.
The Meath Chronicletoday quoted Mr Michael Cassidy, president of Navan Chamber of Commerce, warning that protests could lead to the project being delayed, increasing the misery for the thousands of Meath residents who commute to Dublin every day.
Chambers of commerce in Kells and Navan had attempted to raise the issue at a meeting of the county council last Monday but were ruled out of order. There was, however, a consensus at the meeting that the issue will be addressed at another forum.
A spokesperson for the Save Tara/Skyrne Valley campaign said it was unfortunate that even though the chambers seemed to recognise the archaeological importance of the site, they were pressing for the motorway to go ahead.
He said it was simplistic to assume that if there were no campaign the construction of the motorway would go ahead. It would actually be quicker to take another route, as the amount of sites along the route that will have to be excavated will delay the construction of the motorway for some time to come.
He called on the chambers of commerce to protect the Hill of Tara in the interests of local tourism, which has been neglected in Co Meath.