Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I thank the Minister for acknowledging, however grudgingly, that he got the request from the National Roads Authority prior to Christmas, as I put it to him originally.

In respect of his powers under the National Monuments Act, will he confirm that its provisions are expressed in the terms that he may grant a consent at his discretion, which also means that he could decide not to grant a consent, which is also at his discretion? In respect of any consent or direction he might make in regard to the M3, if that involves a change in the motorway scheme, there is a procedure under section 14(b) of the amended Act to give those directions to a road authority, the road authority then informs An Bord Pleanála and it has certain steps to take where it involves a change in the road scheme. I again invite the Minister to confirm that it is at his discretion, first, not to issue the consents and, second, to give directions, as Minister with responsibility for heritage, in respect of Tara, and if that requires changes to be made to the road scheme, that is provided for in the National Monuments Act by way of a communication to An Bord Pleanála. Will the Minister confirm that is the position?

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