M3 'technical issues' remain, says Wallace

National Museum director Dr Pat Wallace has said he remains concerned about several aspects of the proposed M3 motorway through…

National Museum director Dr Pat Wallace has said he remains concerned about several aspects of the proposed M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne valley in Co Meath.

Following a briefing with Department of Environment officials today, Dr Wallace told ireland.coma number of "technical issues" remain to be resolved.

He said he was still concerned about the overall impact of the proposed interchange at Blundelstown, a mile north of Tara.

But he maintained the issue of further development along the margin of the road - which he had claimed would "trivialise" the ancient site as a whole - has been addressed by Minister for Environment Dick Roche.

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Dr Wallace said he was preparing a written submission for the Minister on the controversial plan.

He also said today he would "probably" appear before the Oireachtas Environment Committee when the consultative process had concluded.

Dr Wallace was forced to cancel a planned appearance before the committee in February after advice from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism not to attend, on the basis he had a statutory role to advise Mr Roche.

Yesterday Mr Roche sanctioned 38 archaeological digs in the Tara-Skryne valley, effectively giving the go-ahead for the motorway.

Mr Roche acknowledged opposition to his decision from Dr Wallace but said the director's concerns were reflected in the directions made.

Eoin Burke-Kennedy

Eoin Burke-Kennedy

Eoin Burke-Kennedy is Economics Correspondent of The Irish Times