Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Having been a member of the council for many years, I am fully aware of environmental impact statements and, on reading the report on Carrickmines, was reminded, as I know were other colleagues, that the public inquiry and approval for the project was granted back in 1998. That was six years ago and, with the passing of this Bill, the projected completion date is July 2005. It took a total of seven years to construct a motorway that is 10 km. long and should have taken a little over two years.

The extent of archaeological work is such that it presents itself as a booming business that would make a Celtic tiger envious. Up to 200 archaeologists were involved on the scheme at any one time, with as many as 130 on the Carrickmines site. Expenditure to date on such work has been quoted at €10 million and, in the heel of the hunt, cases brought by individuals through the courts, as is their right in a democracy, have resulted in the need for this Bill. When one considers that the plans for the road were adjusted many years ago to allow for a section of the medieval wall, two medieval structures and parts of the defences to be preserved in situ with the rest of the site excavated, what was the necessity for objectors to consider the greater need in their campaign? The repeated complaints to the European Commission by one of Dublin's prominent MEPs, and I will not get involved in party politics——

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