Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Let me refer the Chairman to the documents laid before the Dáil, as referred to on today's Order Paper. The first is the National Monuments Act 1930 (Section 14B) Regulations 2005, a copy of which I have obtained since the Order Paper was circulated this morning. The regulations anticipate the announcement which I understand the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is about to make to the public on the M3 motorway running through the Tara-Skryne valley.

The regulations provide for changes to the environmental impact study process and I have two questions thereon. First, given that they were made on 29 April, why did they not appear on the Order Paper until today, 11 May? Second, will the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government make a statement in the House today on the changes that have given rise to the regulations and to the reference thereto on today's Order Paper? Will we have an opportunity to question him on this issue?

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