Your Reaction

If we ignore expert opinion and press ahead with the M3 for short term gain, what does that say about us? Given that we have such an incomplete knowledge of the site, why can we not do as our forefathers have done, and leave it for posterity to marvel, to ponder, or at worst, to ignore? If we can preserve Tara, having become one of the richest nations on earth, it would be a symbol that we still retain a modicum of humility. We could show ourselves, as well as others, that in our increasingly material world, we still respect the things we do not understand. I cannot think of a more noble act than for us to show that things sacred to our ancestors can be sacred for us too. Now is the hour, to save Tara for those unborn, or to plough into yet another Great Irish Shame.
Ciarán Mac Aonghusa Ireland

1. Correction: There is one error in my article in today's Head2Head debate - 'National Development Plan' should read 'Meath Co Development Plan' The fact that Meath's own county development plan is now to designate the Tara-Skryne area as a landscape conservation area is very significant.

2. Tara is a national and international issue and not a local one therefore local surveys should not be regarded as the sole decider in such instances.

3. Due to space restrictions I did not include the very important point - that An Bord Pleanala had not rejected a single motorway scheme to date and, as part of the National Development Plan, it was highly unlikely that it could do anything about it on archaeology grounds

4. The P route was favourable from a number of other environmental aspects as pointed out by the Bellinter residents at the oral hearing - this is summarised in the MAHS petition to the European Parliament

5. The delays to the construction of the M3 have not been caused by protestors - no injunction has ever been applied. Delays have been caused by the fact that the motorway was routed through such a rich arcaheological landscape in such a highly sensitive area. Also, the Minister took 9 months to issue directions in May 2005 having received the archaeological testing reports in September 2004. The sites in the Dunshaughlin to Navan section should not have been excavated, millions would have been saved if the Minister had directed a re-route in 2005 or earlier and the motorway including the long delayed bypasses (planned to go ahead in 1999) would have been progressed sooner
Julitta Clancy Ireland

Michael Cassidy misses the point and bends the truth. Promoting the Tara/Skryne Valley as a residential traffic corridor is Myopic. Tara belongs to the people of Ireland, not just 22,000 commuters (who have my sympathies). To date, only one nationwide independent survey has been conducted on the issue of whether the M3 should be rerouted. Results of this survey, commissioned in 2005 by Sacred Ireland and conducted by Red C Research, show that 2 out of 3 people think the road should be rerouted. Red C state that their results are equivalent (+ or - 3%) to a referendum return. A Tara/Skryne Valley World Heritage National Park would improve the local economy and create sustainable employment. Through compulsory purchase orders, The state already owns the land.
Terry Tuit Ireland

The M3 should at the least be re-routed but in fact there is no need for it except in a situation where no other transport modes are available. A 2+1 route can be built on the existing N3 alignment for far lower costs, together with "high-speed, high capacity" rail to Kells and another from Navan to Drogheda. This would be a far better transport solution and would avoid destruction of heritage.
Tadhg Ireland

I find it interesting that Michael does not mention the massive 30 acre interchange at Blundelstown that will be nearer the Hill of Tara and will doubtless spawn "development" - that of course doesnt suit his argument. If commuters were really the concern, a railway to Navan and Kells would be built long ago!
Tara Greally Ireland

It has been shown that major property developers have bought large sections of land along the current route. I suspect that this has more to do with the current route than any lengthy consultation process. This is Wood Quay all over again, except on a much larger scale. I'm not seeing that stopping the road on its current route is in the "minority" opinion on this poll. We must stop the road on its current route. The PPP contractor must be convinced to adopt an alternative route without penalty to the taxpayer. We must recognise priorities other than blinkered economics.
mark Ireland

there is absolutely no need for the m3 motorway. if necessary the existing infrastructure can be improved and the railway line reinstated alongside. no doubt cutting the overall development costs and negating the need for foreign investment. if the existing tollbridges were removed from the m50 then traffic would not back up to dunshaughlin and there would be no need for yet another motorway. is the construction and subsequent use of the m3 going to reduce our carbon footprint and how exactly? not to mention the effect on the landscape and heritage of an internationally renowned area.
karen ward Ireland

Assuming it's your first time to the hill of Tara, you may be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about. There is no sign of any motorway.

In fact, compared to Newgrange, another site of world interest, from first impressions the lack of any real tourist infrastructure committment from the authorities leads one to believe there must be very little of worth here. Far from it?

From the top of the Tara hill (the road directs tourists here), two views are apparent. Facing south look to the right and you will see the flat centre plains of ireland,look to the left and you will see a church on top of another hill close by.

You may not have even thought about this other hill because all the signs tell you that the 'Hill' of Tara is Tara.

From the top of these hills, you have a watch over large parts of Ireland. They were easily defended against attack. Hence their value to ancient and pre-historic civilisations.

The valley between these two high points, is most important, and could be described as our own 'Valley of the Kings (and Queens)'

The area also said to be important because it could contain evidence linking worship, language and practice before the ancient civilisations of the east.

This whole valley was one great place for worship and buriel. Want to find out more? I'd like to.

The proposed motorway is not near the hill of Tara, its in a much worse position, in the middle of the Valley of the Kings. Re-route it, away from this valley, possibly to the west of the Tara hill.
Paul Ireland

It isn't going through the Hill of Tara - in fact it will be further away. Rerouteing is not the answer given the heritage in Meath - there is no clear route. It's a matter of finding the least damageing route and allowing the past and present co-exist. This is that route.
Maria Ireland

This is an issue that goes beyond mere local politics. It is interesting that the gentleman from the Meath Chamber of Commerce referred only to local support and local politicians. The question needs to be asked why no NRA proposed road has ever been denied by An Bord Pleanala. Do we really believe it is because of the brilliance of the NRAs planning process, or is it rather the result of pressure? The sad reality is that were a route chosen that did not go through the Tara area the road would be far closer to being built than it is today. Questions need to be asked about how this was allowed to occur.
Andrew Stewart Ireland

Your Reaction

the m3 motorway should not be re-routed away from tara!
kendra Ireland

Sure. And while we're at it, why not open the Book of Kells up for individual editing? Sell off a few churches as Condominiums?? It's a piece of Ireland's History that is about to be destroyed-- and for what purpose? Is it truly necessary?? Are there no other alternatives?? For some, it is even one of Nature's Shrines. It is a disgrace to think that it is even being considered.
Tania Portugal

We need to protect our heiritage. Not sell it to the highest bidder. We must ask who is to really benifit from the road on its pressent route. Why did they start the new construction at Tara the middle of the route rathar then at either end and why Eurolink gets a 45 year lease to tax (Toll) irish people traveling the new M3.
Thomas O Connor Ireland

I am amazed at the short sightedness of our elected leaders. This should not even be a discussion. Tara is our most precious link to our own pasts. It should be preserved and maintain for all future Irish people. They will judge us harshly if it is not, and we should hang our heads in shame even thinking about laying a road over it.
Claire O'Connor Ireland

it is mad to think that people will first sell the land that our fathers though was so important they bulit a momnet on and now people want to bulid a road throught it. not good not good at all..!
ryan coote Ireland

YES - I agree wholeheartedly with the views of Julitta, who expresses the YES point of view so expertly. It is a national disgrace that we are even debating the destruction of our heritage.
Emer Mooney Ireland

The set of ancient heritage sites surrounding the Hill of Tara is among the most important in Ireland, if not the most important. It should be allowed to remain intact - not severely damaged and demeaned by a new toll road that could be routed on a slightly different path.
W. Finnerty. Ireland

I do not claim to be an archeological expert, but I do know that no single issue has evoked more controversy since it was first mooted in 1999. So the politicians KNEW this would be problematic, but in true Dick Roche style (remember him?) they literally ploughed on regardless. This is an issue that will not go away, so why not re-route now before even more money is wasted. And focus on the rail link, a more sustainable option anyway.
Paul Ireland

It seems that the majority of the population want the M3 re-routed. The RedC poll a few years ago (June 2005) had 70% for re-route. RTE poll a few weeks ago had about 70% for re-route. An Irish Times Poll had 73% for a re-route http://scripts.ireland.com/polls/breaking/index.cfm?fuseaction=yesnopoll&pollid=7766&subsiteid=356 Meath Archaeological and Historical society had in the region of 90% for a re-route www.community.meath.ie/mahs This ireland.com poll seems to follow that. If we lived in a democracy then I would say that the people have spoken.
Martin Dier Ireland

The M3 motorway should not be put in such in a historically important area. It's crazy that we have to lobby for it to be re-routed. It is self evident that its in the wrong place.
Aideen O Rahilly Ireland

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The Irish Times/ireland.com head2head is a forum for people who wish to express their views on issues of topical interest. In order to represent as wide a range of opinions as possible and provide a stimulating platform for discussion, we ask all our contributors to only post comments which are relevant to the daily question.

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If this route was carefully planned as claimed, why is it still so controversial after eight years? The answer lies in the fact that an Bord Pleanala based its decision to proceed on completely outdated information on Tara, despite having available the most up-to-date and exciting research of the State Discovery Program. This research had already been the basis on which the Consultants employed by Meath County Council had advised against the route through the Tara valley in 2000- advice that was ignored as was the impassioned plea made to the oral hearing in 2002 by Conor Newman, the Director of that research.The planning process was faulty and must not be used as justification for destroying what we now know to be a rich historical landscape with endless possibilities for ourselves and for tourism.
The nub of the Tara/M3 debate is a question of values. To reduse archaeology and history to 'a single topic'(by implication deemed to have little if any value) speaks volumes about a particular mindset- a mindset that values utilitarian things above all else and seems blind to anything deeper.Buisness, important though it is ,is only one part of life and when it alone is used as the determining factor in how we plan and shape our environment we get a society out of balance with itself and its context. The signs of such imbalance are everywhere. Tara is a line in the sand as regards what matters and what doesn't to Irish people. The motorway is not yet built and therefore the short contentious bit of route can and should be changed.We can prove to ourselves and the world that Ireland has enough maturity,courage and imagination to be able to modernise without needing to destroy the very heart of our identity.
Claire Oakes Ireland
The road in its present location through the Tara Skrne Valley is destroying not just indivaidual monuments but also the entire landscape which should be preserved. The new M3 is another result of bad planning and will not solve the commuting problems of the many but only line the pockets of the few incolved within the ppp. By passes should have been built many years ago and the rail links to the towns of the county should be given priority . The new M3 still arrives at the Blanchardstown Roundabout and all the chaos that goes with the M50
JOHN MARK Ireland
Recent debate on the proposed M3 motorway, and the consequences of the NRA's preferred route has prompted me as a Co Meath commuter to come to the conclusion that here is no need whatsoever for this motorway. Driving to Drogheda yesterday, I was struck by the simple and cost effective solution to this contentious transportation need is the construction of a new dual carriageway from Kells and Navan on to the M1 at Drogheda, with a similar roadway from Trim to Blanchardstown.
This will avoid the Tara-SkryneValley altogether, and will stream the vast bulk of the traffic using the N3 today onto the M1 traffic corridor. It can also give commuters the choice of taking the proposed M2 route, as it will have to cross this route. This can also be the starting point for a outer orbit M50 road to link Drogheda, Navan, Trim, Naas and on to Blessington. Dunshaughlin can be comfortably bypassed, the existing N3 can be widened, and the entry points to the M50 can be upgraded to accommodate the changes proposed.

The railway link from Pace on to Navan and Kells can, at the same time, be prioritised without the proposed M3 cutting across it, and be completed within a shorter timespan than that proposed. The speedy completion of this alternative will alleviate the long and wasted hours endured by myself and my fellow commuters who are caught up in the traffic snarl ups when travelling to Dublin every day.

Minister Dempsey now has the greatest opportunity to deliver a transport and roads strategy for Co Meath and the rest of the country; I urge him to work with his new partners in government. to bring all of the Co. Meath commuters home from work at a reasonable hour, not at seven, or eight every working day He promised to deliver progress, this would be a good starting point for him to deliver a lasting legacy.
Niall Salmon Ireland
Why can the railway not be restored as a matter of urgency? If they put the time & effort into public services, the half empty car population would get off the road. Everybody uses public transport in other countries. Why not here? Because it's not , in most cases, user friendly. Houses are built, to give the gov more taxes, but nothing follows without a huge outcry. the poor Irish. Always at the mercy of the gombeen.
birgitta horan Ireland
Surely the results of this poll speak volumes. This motorway was on the wrong track from the start. People who oppose it are not against progression, just against mindless, officially sanctioned vandalism. It is a national disgrace that will all be of our own making (we can't blame the English for this one!)Why is viable public transort (ie. trains) not being provided, and why are vested interests allowed to dictate matters that affect our communal heritage. Vested interests and Irish politics remain incestuous bedfellows.
Tara H. Ireland
Julitta Clancy is right to identify the planning process as deeply flawed - if not also, in Tara's case, demonstrably manipulated. (After 6 years' research, I think I can demonstrate it). With respect to him, Michael Cassidy's contrasting confidence in the planning process is part of the delusion associated with a publicly authorised programme tasked with one purpose only, to start infrastructure projects as quickly as possible. The mismatch - Clancy's concern for heritage and Cassidy's concern for construction - rests upon complex, difficult problems of legitimacy and accountability, and citizenship and civil society. There is no reliable mechanism by which the citizens affected by such projects can or could call the power deployed to answer. Equally, there is no evident recognition on the part of that power that it need to take citizen calculations into its deliberations in a structured inclusive way, rather than simply blast them out as 'abnormal' and 'extremist'. As we exchange opinions about Tara on this web site, European Frameworks of academics have already settled the subtelties of these same issues in conceptual terms. Their conclusions are needed urgently in the public domain - indeed, you and I have paid through our taxes to hear them. But that means that politicans have to listen to uncomfortable truths - and that academics, other than archaeologists, have to get their hands dirty. I am not optimistic on either count. I conclude, therefore, that democracy is still on its slippery slope and that there are more 'Taras' to come.
Martin Kay Ireland
Time to call a halt to this madness, build the M3 but move it and I bet it will be built quicker than if continue to stick our heads in the sand and insist on the current route with all the delays that will arise due to this find and that over the months ahead. Could we also have a rail service ahead of 2015 to give commuters a real choice - the idea of having to wait until then is depressing - surely we can get this done quicker. Come on Minster Dempsey - deliver for Meath with a rail service to Navan in the next 5 years before you stand for re-election.
Paul Kearns Ireland
As a Navan I say just built the damn thing and get us to work on time.
Peter Bukey Ireland
Why is Ireland behaving like the U.S.? In this era of global climate change, one of the last things you want is a motorway. All motorways do is encourage more cars and more commuters (more people move further out once it becomes easier - suburban sprawl). I agree with Karen Ward that the focus should be put on a railway which moves people more efficiently, pollutes less, and passes by less. You don't have strings of cars miles long if there is an accident. Just look at the East Coast of the U.S. and ask yourself if that's what you want with its gridlock and crowding. I have been to Tara and it was beautiful. Ireland is realizing that it can make money (if that's really what's important and I guess it is to politicians) off tourism and this is a reason to preserve what Ireland has. Just like the wilderness areas of the U.S., people go to sites like Tara to try to imagine a part of the past. That's hard to do when surrounded with modern impingements. Be proud of your history, Erin.
Laura Brennan United States
The man who was saying the M3 should be built on its current route is gerrymandering - he is polling those in a very limited area and has no right to refer to those who want it re-routed away from Tara as a minority. Tara belongs to the entire country, not just the commuter housing estates in Co. Meath, and in the entire country is clearly the proponents of the current route who are the minority. Their 6,000 signatures were on a petition which they actively advertised and made available in that town. Last time I checked the petitiononline.com/hilltara petition, which suffers from the fact that it is not well-known or in anyway advertised, it had almost 30,000 signatures, including, I am proud to say, my own. It is truly sad that in spite of these facts, the Government will in our name, and with our money, push through this totally unnecessary route.
David Watchorn Ireland

Your Reaction

While Michael Cassidy was President of Navan Chamber, they ran a poll that said TEXT M3 to 53XXX to show support for the M3 road. There was no option to text through a *lack* of support so that was a completely flawed and invalid vote. Also it is possible to be against the proposed route but to be in favour of the M3 in general. To portray people who are against the route as being anti-M3 and not acknowledging commuter problems is very misleading. As someone living in Navan who needs to commute to Dublin, I am all for better commuter options - but do not want Tara destroyed when there are other options. Arguing that the new road is further away than the current road is also completely deceptive. The current road is a 2-lane road which is unlit and is actually not really visible from the Hill of Tara. This does not at all compare to a fully lit multi-lane motorway with a 30 acre interchange in full view of Tara! Finally, as a member of Navan Chamber who was NOT asked their opinion at any time on the M3, I'm not sure how the Navan or Meath Chambers could validly claim that they spoke on behalf of the business community. Even if all Navan Chamber members voted ( possibly about 80 ? ), this would in no way represent the majority of the business community. Possibly the Chamber position is the minority one.
Tom Ireland

We learned nothing from destroying Wood Quay, certainly one of the most magnificent if not THE most magnificent remains of a Viking city anywhere in the World. I was proud then to be on the losing side. I would rather fight to save our heritage and lose than fight to destroy it and win. We are behaving like the Chinese in our rush to commercialise every square foot of the country. No surprise as Bertie has declared his admiration for the Mayor of Beijing. Nobody has yet explained why the current route was chosen. Margaret Gowen and Co - the first archaeologists to examine the Gabhra Valley in relation to the road, urged against it. So too did Halcrow, the consultants hired by the NRA. To say it is further away from the Hill of Tara than the current N3 is disingenuous on two grounds. Firstly, while it may be further from the Hill itself, it is right in the middle of the rich archaeological landscape. Secondly, it is fifty times wider, goes twenty times deeper and will carry vastly more traffic. We're a greedy nation run by people who think culture comes in a tent at Galway races. I truly hope, the names of all those responsible for this outrage will be carved into a stone on the motorway so that future generations - including their own grandchildren - know who to blame.
Paddy Murray Ireland

The problem with the national/international debate on the M3 is that it is poorly informed. Local research has shown strong support for the route (96% in the Tara Skryne area) because locals know where the route is & they appreciate its capacity to deliver increased road safety and a better better quality of life for commuters. In contrast the anti lobby derives the majority of its support from people outside of Meath who don't realise the route is already well away from the hill of Tara and represents no substantial threat to our heritage.

Those who point to archaeological finds as a reason for re-routing should recognise that considerably more discoveries have been made to date on other stretches of the M3 route than those along the Tara Skryne section. Additionally, no matter where you build roads in Ireland you will find archaeology. Road building contributes to our understanding of the past. I have no doubt that those who would deny us the M3 believe they are protecting our heritage but they are misguided. In reality they are simply keeping what might be found 'secret' by leaving it buried and undiscovered. The only threat that the M3 offers to Tara is the threat of discovery and improved access.

Finally, the greater Tara area which the anti lobby have emotively referred to as the 'Tara Skryne Valley' mocks any serious geological definition of the word 'valley'. Tara and Skryne are barely hills separated by a wide flat plain.
Ciaran Coburn Ireland

I don't think anyone denies the neccessity that the M3 be constructed. However, anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that the route chosen is not only longer than some of those originally proposed (anyone wondering why??!!!), but also cuts through land that contains historical sites older than the pyraminds of Egypt!! We are looking at a second "Dublin City Council Offices" catastrophe in the making. Lets not wait for another "brown paper bag" tribunal in 20 years to out the mistake about to be made. Let sense and honesty prevail and choose a less controversial, less damaging route!!
Cathal Dolan Ireland

i do not believe the extra expense of rerouting should be a consideration, My children will not thank this generation for destroying such extensive evidence of our history. the past should not only be held in museums.
Joey Tilley Ireland

At last!! The media and others are beginning to lift their heads up and realise that this is a HUGE issue. Ireland is the homeland of us 80 MILLION diaspora. Ancient Tara is the heart of our homeland and is sacred to us. The valley of Tara contains the graves of our ancestors as well as henges and underground tunnels, etc, showing us a picture of how they lived over 10,000 years ago. In other countries there are many strong laws that protect the culture and sacred places of its indigenous people. The Irish government appears to be obsessed with desecrating / destroying its own indigenous peopleżs sacred land. Tara and the area around it, is the people of Irelandżs sacred and spiritual land. It should be protected at all costs, for the people of Ireland, the 80 million Irish diaspora and our future generations. All around the world, we are watching and we are appalled by what we are seeing!
Steve Coleman Australia

Is a landscape more valuable than the lives of the people who populate it? The alternative route being mooted by so many will destroy the homesteads of 70 families as opposed to 2 and will plough through the village of Skryne - destroying an existing community (in the name of honouring a community which existed thousands of years ago). Maybe we should have no motorway to Cork, passing so near to the Rock of Cashel as it does, No motorway to Galway in case it detracts from the Esker Riada! Are the citizens of Meath/Tara Skyrne valley to return to living in ring forts? How many tourists come to Ireland to see the Gowra Valley? They come to see and admire the Hill of Tara (covered as it is in sheep with no facilities for visitors)and this they will still be able to do (with the bonus of ease of access).
Catherine MacCarthy Ireland

Good to see the Gorey bypass finished before time and with no tolling applied. In Meath we have been waiting for years for the bypasses of the congested towns of Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells. They were to go ahead in 1999 but were then included in the plans for the M3 and two of these bypasses will now be tolled. Why have we in Meath been so short-changed?
Julitta Clancy Ireland

Affirmative. Of course the M3 should be rerouted away from the Tara-Skryne valley because it is right, wise and the logical thing to do for now and for our posterity. Certainly there are better sustainable solutions for the needs of commuters and not simply a toll road with continually increasing costs and the planned urban sprawl. The people should decide this issue via a national Referendum. This poll is a good start.
John Cassidy United States

Cultural heritage is something that is there for future generations. It is arrogant and shortsighted of us to run roughshod over it to compensate for the appalling planning problems of the last couple of decades. It's not the only route. There are alternatives so why plough ahead with somthing so crassly wrong? Wood Quay anyone?
Cg Ireland

Your Reaction

It is amazing how much misinformation there is in the comments above.(1) An Bord Pleanala refused the N77 Athy road scheme and also refused new interchanges on the M1 in Louth and Fingal. Anyway would it not be very surprising for expert road engineers to not know how to do there jobs. Refusals should very rare as experts are aligning the routes with public consultation forming part of the process.(2) The heresay that development will occur in the valley is not true as the new meath county development plan specifically forbids it.(3) The current N3 cant be upgraded as there are numerous farm buildings and houses built along it, are you suggesting these are all demolished? (4) The An Bord Pleanala oral hearing lasted 28 days (nearly 6 weeks) and the inspectors report to the board was over 1000 pages (equivalent to a thesis) (5)The people of meath elected 4FF and 2 FG TDs who all support the route, this is even after Tarawatch published an advert in the local press urging people to vote for anti M3 parties.Democracy must be respected (6) Look at a Discovery series OS map, the routes west of Tara are a wash with archaeology, there is no route that wont cut through archaeology, the route further east goes straight through the heart of the village of Skryne, are you suggesting putting a motorway right beside a church and residential estate is a better option, (if you do you obviously have nver been there). (7) I live 3 km from the route in Tara, there is no local support for the anti M3 group, its all outsiders from anywhere but Meath. (8) No one seems to have a problem with the protestors erecting illegal signage and spray painting the N3 and also writing graffiti on the welcome to navan sign.They have also blockaded the Collierstown entrance to the site with broken trees(9) Its gone through due process and has been endorsed democratically by the people and also upheld by the high court, the current protests wont accept democratic due process and therefore are embarking on a campaign of eco-terrorism.
Joe Ireland

SAVE TARA! please add me to your poll. Thankyou. DRUID PROTESTOR
carmel diviney Ireland

(1)Jullita is not a council member why does it say that. (2)I think the local population just might have a better grasp of the issue than people who dont live anywhere near it, local opinion is more important than so called national surveys on newspaper sites where anti m3 campaigners can continuously just keep voting Yes as much as they like. The election is the real undisputable poll and Meath voted in 6 Pro-M3 TDs, and so as one of the other comments said, the people have spoken. Too many of you are swayed by the media, only a week or so ago a taxi driver said its a disgrace its going through the hill of tara, this just shows people dont have a clue where its going and the the fact that its a mile and half from it. Every time RTE mention the M3 the backdrop is aerial images of the hill of tara, talk about propaganda and jullita likes to say things like through Tara and bring up a load of half truths.Its absolutely the best route as currently planned.
joe Ireland

it is a national disgrace that this motorway has even been proposed in an archaeological and historical landscape. This motorway should be stopped re-routed or maybe the new government could improve public transport to prevent the construction of further motorways. It is unfathomable to think, that the Irish people are going to sit back and let those in power ruin the little green and historic sites we have left in Ireland.
Deirdre B. Germany

Our Government seems to have adopted the attitude that history is, quite literally, in the past. And that's where they intend to put Tara.
Anthony Murphy Ireland

Why is modern infrastructure less morally viable than historical infrastructure? In fact, why is a construction as technically and aesthetically impressive as a 21st century motorway referred to as 'infrastructure', but a muddy field in Lismullen referred to reverently as a national monument? I love motorways ż their epic, sweeping brushstrokes, their supreme functionality, their safety, their opening up of possibilities and expansion of horizons. They are monuments of unprecedented grandness and transformative power. They are our pyramids, our souterrains, our dolmens ż but even more remarkable, more useful, more democratic. More beautiful. Why are we ashamed of them? Why are they so, so, so much less sacred to us than things people built before? It's true that this is not about heritage versus progress. This is about past heritage versus present heritage. About balancing them in a manner that respects the rights of both. This is a sound balance, arrived at in a most democratic and transparent and inclusive way. The M3 should not be re-routed.
Dylan Ireland

Yes, of course. The Hill of Tara is a World Heritage Site and not suitable for a road. Dick Roche was sneaky and wrong to sign the order permitting the road just before leaving office. Need we say more?
Conor Ireland

The Tara valley is wonderful, magnificent I've been there a few times. Survey the valley from top of Hill of Tara---breathtaking. Its our heritage, doesnt belong to Meath or commuters or politicians. In common with hundreds of archaeologists and thousands of ordinary people I say NO NO NO NO NO to the proposed motorway. Pat Wallace of National Museum shouldn't have a decisive voice in this because one man shouldn't have this decision----should be major body of archaeologists and historians. And anyway he was leaned on.
Geraldine Ireland

This poll shows once again that it is a majority that wants the M3 be re-routed. Re-routing the M3 would be a solution accepted by the majority, and archaeology and history, as well as the ecological loss from the present proposal, have to be determinant factors in the evaluation of sustainable development of the region. The initial evaluation of the project is outdated in light of the evidence of the recent IPCC reports on climate change. The new evidence warrants a totally new evaluation of the project, that would include a cost benefit analysis including the environmental costs involved, would need climate proofing, would need a comparison with other solutions such as reopening the Navan railway, the provision of other public transport, and better spatial and transport planning. A new evaluation must include an asessment of the alternative to scrap the route alltogether. Mr. Cassidy says "Other issues need to be considered such as ... ensure the route performs in terms of traffic." This frightens me as it implies that enough traffic has to be created to make the route viable. This means more development along the M3 to create traffic. This means commuters from both directions, doesn't it, and at the end again: traffic congestion. It means more transport emissions contributing to public expenditure re carbon credits or fines. So who will gain, apart from some developers?
Christine Raab-Heine Ireland

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Should the M3 motorway be re-routed away from Tara?

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Should the M3 motorway be re-routed away from Tara?

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Should the M3 motorway be re-routed away from Tara?

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Should the M3 motorway be re-routed away from Tara?

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