Madam, - A number of correspondents to this page have criticised me for the decision I am supposed to have made on the route of the M3 motorway. The first point that should be made is that my function in this matter relates to the regulation of archaeological works along the proposed route. The second is that the planning process in relation to this route has already been completed.
The third point is that I have not yet made any decision in relation to archaeological works although I intend to do so shortly. In doing so, your readers, including those who have taken pen to paper, can be assured that I will act within the provisions of the National Monuments Acts which set out the procedures for resolving these matters.
Finally, I would appeal, having read the tone of some of some of the recent letters on this issue, that we would debate these issues of importance in a civilised tone without resort to the language of insults. - Yours, etc.,
DICK ROCHE TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin 2.