The Celtic League has labelled a plan to build a motorway through the Tara-Skryne valley as 'cultural terrorism'.

In a letter to An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, the Celtic League Secretary General, urges a thorough environmental assessment and says that more account should be taken by government of environmental groups concerns. He also points out that the Tara-Skryne valley "is of immense historical and archaeological importance, not only for Ireland and Europe".

The full text of the Secretary Generals letter is set out below:

"Dear Taoiseach

Tara-Skryne Valley Motorway Proposal

The plan to build a motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley raises a several immediate objections from the League.

The environmental impact and consequences of motorway building alone, is enough to warrant a full and independent survey of public opinion of the affected communities. In addition an environmental assessment, involving environmental groups would be also prudent.

However the exclusion of the environmental groups from the Towards 2016 social partner discussions in Dublin in February 2007, signals that their opinion is not being valued and is in fact deliberately ignored. It would seem that the same Governmental attitude applies to the opinion of the local community too, when the huge public outcry that the proposed construction of the Tara-Skryne Valley motorway is taken into consideration. Yet despite these protests, the Government seems determined to push ahead with their road building plans.

The other objection that the League has concerning the construction of this road is the proposed route that the motorway is planned to take. As you know the Tara-Skryne valley is of immense historical and archaeological importance, not only for Ireland and Europe, but also for the further understanding of our Celtic heritage and history. The building of a motorway through this site is therefore tantamount to cultural terrorism.

Improvements to existing roads to avoid the building of another or the development of other transport infrastructure like the reopening the Dublin to Navan railroad , seem to be the preferred option of the local populace and environmental groups. Nevertheless a complete review of the existing planned route with the intention of avoiding the above mentioned area altogether, should be the minimum undertaking in light of the scale of public protest that this project has aroused.

We look forward to hearing your views on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot

General Secretary Celtic League

Cc Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment Sean Haughey, TD. Chairman, Environment Committee"

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

29/04/07

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