MICHAEL EGAN,
Madam, - Traffic congestion in south Dublin is having a serious effect on Co Wicklow. Any further delay because of wrangles at Carrickmines should not be allowed to delay the M50. The maps which I have seen indicate that the remains of Carrickmines Castle affect only the junction and not the M50 itself. The National Roads Authority should build the M50 immediately leaving out the junction until the legal issues are resolved. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr DEREK MITCHELL,
Mayor of Greystones,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.
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Madam, - Frank McDonald's report in your edition of February 25th refers to a "quiet deal" done between the National Roads Authority and Dúchas about what should happen to archaeological sites in the path of planned road schemes. The "quiet deal" tag is very wide of the mark.
In July 2000 a Code of Practice was signed between this authority and the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The code provides a framework within existing legislation and policies to enable the NRA to progress the national roads improvement programme within the timescale of the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, while carrying out appropriate archaeological mitigation having regard to heritage legislation and a set of principles and actions agreed by both parties. The code was launched by Ms Síle de Valera in July, 2000 and was covered in a report in your newspaper by Tim O'Brien on July 27th, 2000. Copies of the code were and continue to be available from the authority. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL EGAN,
Head of Corporate Affairs,
National Roads Authority,
Dublin 4.