The EU's Environment Commissioner Ms Margot Wallstrom has made a commitment to study carefully whether an environmental impact assessment, carried out by the Government, "satisfied obligations," to assess if the proposed motorway at Carrickmines, Co Dublin would have had an impact on archaeological treasures.
Speaking at the European Parliament yesterday, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, MEP welcomed Ms Wallstrom's "efforts to establish whether the archaeological treasures at Carrickmines were properly protected by the Government and local council in accordance with European Union legislation." He said the proposed south-east section of the M50 motorway could be adjusted to protect the site and this must be done urgently.
The Commission has been investigating the Carrickmines issue since Mr De Rossa drew it to its attention in the summer of 2002. So far €38 of the €74 million has been allocated from Cohesion Funds to the project, but there is growing concern over the allocation of the remaining €36. Ireland will only qualify for Cohesion Funds until the end of this year and it is still not clear when the M50 project will be completed.