Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Exactly. This Bill gives An Bord Pleanála the power to sanction variations to approved works and where it does not so sanction, a decision can be made on the need for a new environmental impact statement rather than waiting for the courts to adjudicate on the matter.

Let me make it absolutely clear that Fine Gael insists that our national monuments be preserved. We have no future if we do not value what we have of value from our past. A decision to interfere with a national monument should only be considered when there is absolutely no alternative. If it is discovered that it is unique and irreplaceable and of archaeological value and significance, no matter how important the road, an alternative must be found.

The nub of the dispute at Carrickmines is whether what was discovered is archaeologically unique or merely of historical interest. The problem is the designation of what constitutes a national monument. How is a national monument designated? I thought it was interesting that the Minister referred to the archaeological remains at Carrickmines as a national monument, which has never been accepted by the county council. There was no one to adjudicate on it. One side maintained it was a national monument, while the county council said it was not. Because there were no objective criteria, the council was put into an invidious position of having to apply for consent to interfere with a national monument.

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