EU Commission Tells De Rossa of 'Disappointment' over Government's Failure on Carrickmines

Wednesday February 12, 2003 16:12

by Labour European Office

EU Commission Now Considering 'Possibilities' under EU Law

EU Commission Tells Proinsias De Rossa MEP of 'Disappointment' over Government's Failure on Carrickmines and that it's considering its options under EU Law. De Rossa urges Commission to act before site is destroyed.

Statement by PROINSIAS DE ROSSA, MEP
President of the Labour Party, Vice-President Socialist Group
12 February 2002

Dublin Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa has just been told that the European Commission is "disappointed" that the Irish Government still hasn't provided the information requested last October about the impact of the M50 road project on the Carrickmines site and that it is now considering the possibilities open to it under EU law.

Arising from a complaint on the issue submitted last Autumn by Mr De Rossa, the Commission in October asked the Government to verify that it had fully complied with the EU legislation when examining the impact of the M50 motorway project on the Carrickmines site. The Government replied that it would respond in detail by the end of 2002.

"However, in response to a priority question submitted at this month's EP Plenary Session in Strasbourg, the Commission today informed Proinsias De Rossa that it has yet to receive the Government's substantive reply.

"It is outrageous that four months on, the Government still hasn't replied to the Commission's enquiry. They have merely said that they haven't been able to do so because of "the complexity of the issues raised". But, at the same time the National Roads Authority is threatening to plough ahead and to concrete over important parts of this major heritage site.

"There is a now clear threat in the Commission's reply that €74m of EU Cohesion Funds is at risk if the Government does not cooperate with this investigation, or is found to be in breach of EU laws covering the co-financing of the motorway project. The role of Martin Cullen, Minister responsible for protecting heritage sites, is inexplicable - he has failed to respond properly to the Commission or to even acknowledge a letter of mine sent last October.

"Having visited the site and having seen the medieval walls and burial sites that have been discovered, I am convinced that Carrickmines is an important part of our cultural heritage and that it would be nothing short of state vandalism to bulldoze it.

"I welcome the Commission's declaration that it will consider the 'possibilities' open to it under EU law, including under Article 226 which would allow it to bring Ireland before the European Courts on this issue, and bearing in mind that Ireland is obliged to co-operate with EU investigations and the fact that the entire project is the subject of EU co-financing.

"However, time is running out. The Commission must act immediately to insist that the Government stall that section of the motorway affecting the Carrickmines heritage site pending the outcome of the EU investigation.

"We do need better roads in Ireland but I am totally confident that we have the right to insist that such a development does not wipe away our archaeological treasures.

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