As the archaeological dig at Carrickmines Castle in South County Dublin ends today, An Taisce repeated its call for alternations to a road plan to preserve some areas of the site.
At a public briefing today on the archaeological, historical and legal aspects of the controversy, Mr Ian Lumley, An Taisce heritage officer said: "There needs to be a balance of considerations" on the matter. Digging at the site is due to close at 5 p.m.
An Taisce is seeking to have the level of the motorway raised to accommodate the ruins of the Castle, which are situated below the area of the planned motorway.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan declined to attend the meeting. A spokesman for him said it "would be inappropriate for the minister to attend a public meeting," because he is still in negotiations with the National Road Authorities.
The Green Party has criticised the Minister for Transport for failing to stop the destruction of the medieval remains. The party supported An Taisce calls to make minor changes in the access roads and junction layout so that a larger part of the castle complex could be preserved.
"We believe that these changes would not require a new public inquiry," said Mr Ciarain Cuffe, the Green Party's spokesman on the environment.
Mr Vincent Salafia of the Brethean Law Project, said that there are plans for a protest to "protect the excavation site," over the weekend.
He also confirmed that An Taisce are in negotiations with another party and are considering legal action to prevent the construction of the motorway through the site. Around €6 million has been spent on the excavation at Carrickmines over the last 12 months, with an archaeological team of between 20 and 30 working on the site. A number of important medieval remains and artifacts have been unearthed.