Mr. Rónán Swan:

On these projects, we do a considerable amount of archaeo-geophysical surveys in advance of the commencement and to help inform the environmental impact assessment report. That is done in order to identify as many known sites as possible. However, we are very cognisant and very aware that there may be many more unknown sites. That is why we put together a comprehensive programme of test excavation, archaeo-geophysical surveying etc., to ensure we can identify as many sites as possible after approval but well in advance of the commencement of construction. I had the privilege of serving on the Lismullin advisory committee along with various other archaeologists. We went into details and considered whether the road could be diverted but it was just not practical to do it in that context. There is a huge amount of consideration. I was invited to sit on that committee by the former Minister, John Gormley, and it was a great privilege.