The shortest day of the year at Newgrange passage grave in Co Meath was in danger of becoming a longer morning than usual as Ms de Valera, the minister for the Arts, Culture, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands launched a draft management plan. Also launched at the same venue, with rather less fanfare, was a cross-Border, community-based environmental forum, with a deliberately pitched title, "Battle for the Boyne".
After experiencing the magic of the sunrise illuminating the chamber of the great monument, it seemed back to business with some briskness as copies of the Minister's plan aimed at protecting the future of Ireland's most famous archaeological site were distributed, while forum members looked on.
Speaking at the interpretative centre little more than an hour after emerging from the magic of the mid-winter sunrise, the Minister stressed the importance of Newgrange as a world heritage site, a status it has enjoyed since UNESCO listed it in 1993 as one of three on the island of Ireland. The document, she outlined, sets out the main objectives and policies of "an integrated management plan" for the Br· na B≤inne.
The plan, which, she stressed, needed the criticism, support and suggestions of those present and also the public, offers a comprehensive history of the site. Included in it is a general description of an area rich in heritage and which includes the dramatic Boyne valley passage grave complex embracing Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The landscape is also assessed in a cultural as well as natural context.
Also outlined is its legal status. Br· na B≤inne is owned by the State but while it is legally protected under the National Monuments Act 1930-1994 as well as the Planning Act 2000, and by its designation as a World Heritage Site, there is no legislation specific to it.
Although not offered in response to the ongoing local and national protests regarding planning in Co Meath, the plan does emphasis the need for heritage protection. Included in a section headed "Objectives and Key Actions", the plan acknowledges the need for legal mechanisms to ensure the protection of the site. Also of note is the sentence stating "the local authority must continue to adopt specific measures to protect the landscape in terms of maintaining and enhancing views and encouraging high design standards."
Members of the Battle for the Boyne cross-Border forum were present to voice concerns about the threat to the Boyne Valley and specially to highlight the risks endangering that heritage, including the proposed municipal incinerator at Duleek just outside Drogheda and the proposed power plant, to be built near the existing cement factor. Yet no one publicly challenged the Minister.
Also present were members of the No Incinerator Alliance, which last year staged a peaceful protest on the road facing the Newgrange site. Members of the local community were reluctant to see the plan as holding any answers and were unimpressed by the document, describing it as "cosmetic" and "more of the same".
Among the key concerns held by the Battle for the Boyne forum are the proposed building of a municipal incinerator at Duleek and the siting of the power plant - both currently being appealed. Also of serious concern is the increasingly poor quality of the River Boyne due to pollution.
According to Mr Brian Hanratty, a co-founder of the Battle for the Boyne forum, "While D·chas is seeking a public consultation on the draft plan, it is disappointing to note that D·chas has not appealed Meath Co Council's decision to grant planning permission to Belgian multi-national Indaver for its incinerator.
"I assured the Minister that we welcome any initiative that enhances the protection of this unique heritage. But we are disappointed D·chas has chosen not to join with more than 20 appellants, including An Taisce, in the Indaver case." Mr Hanratty also confirmed that the Minister suggested the forum should avail of the consultation process. "We will review the document and then submit out views. This particular new process as outlined in the new draft management plan, however, has no bearing on the outcome of the Indaver appeal."
