Madam, - Olivia Mitchell TD is wrong, and not for the first time, on the issue of the Carrickmines National Monument site. Any delays that have occurred on this section of the roadworks are not the result of the actions of those who have protested at the destruction of this unique National Monument. It is as a result of the belated "discovery" of the extent and importance of the site by archaeologists in the course of their work on it.
That "discovery" necessitated a longer archaeological dig than she and her colleagues planned for. The fact that it is not even yet completed despite 200 archaeologists working diligently over a long period is a testament to the size and importance of the site and of the monumental errors made by the responsible authorities when preparing the plans for the M50.
The basis of the complaint by myself and the organisation "Friends of the Environment" to the European Commission and Parliament was the failure by the authorities to consult maps available since 1840, and archaeological and historical documents stretching from 1901 to 1996. These clearly indicated the extent and historical importance of the site.
Indeed the European Commission's independent expert has expressed bewilderment as to why all the available information was not consulted and the site properly researched before the plans were finalised. (A copy of this report along with the Government's response is available on my website www.derossa.com).
The failure of those directly responsible for the original decision, (including Deputy Olivia Mitchell) to admit they made a mistake when the facts were presented to them, and to remedy it in a way that would preserve the national monument is a gross dereliction of public responsibility. No amount of populist claptrap from Deputy Mitchell will hide that simple fact.
The European Commission may or may not find the Environmental Impact Study to be invalid following consideration of the independent study of the facts and the Government's response to that study. However, one way or the other the decision whether or not to proceed with the existing plan remains firmly in Irish politicians' hands. The question is, is she willing even at this late stage to look at and call for an amended road plan to prevent the destruction of a unique part of our heritage?
Perhaps it's time we had a serious debate on what value we really put on our heritage? What, for instance, might our children learn from a study of this site; about the waves of migration, the conflicts, the successes and the failures to accommodate differences, all of which go to make up this Irish race. Might such a reminder of the past help us to overcome the fear of our new citizens from abroad? Or does "Celtic Tiger" Ireland imagine our children might learn more from a visit to our spanking new M50 motorway?
Maybe "Celtic Tiger" Ireland might in this instance ponder how many tourists are likely to come to look at the M50 motorway, compared to the numbers that might come to see an archaeological site virtually unique in Europe?
Do we believe sites like these are important in themselves for what they tell us about ourselves? Officially this would seem to be the case. We have a Government Department and laws in place to protect our heritage. Or is this just pretence? In practice when the law on heritage is broken it seems a couple of Ministers and the county council management can get together to patch up a little "stroke" to get around it.
We cannot it seems rely any longer on existing law to protect our heritage. Unless of course those tiresome protesters defend the rule of law by going to court. You teach these kids that our heritage is important, that the law is important and we should all obey it. And what happens? They believe you! - Yours, etc.,
PROINSIAS DE ROSSA MEP, Vice-President, Socialist Group,
European Parliament, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.