Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, and his Ministers of State, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe and Deputy Tony Killeen, on their appointment and wish them well in their roles. This is the first chance I have had to do so.

I asked the Minister whether the temporary preservation order he issued on 28 September would have any implications for the construction of the M3 motorway. What is the position of the Minister and Green Party on the construction of the motorway in view of all the statements they made about it before the election last May? Members of the Green Party, particularly Deputy Ciarán Cuffe, called for the construction of the motorway to be stopped. Is the Minister in favour of the new motorway programme and has he further concerns over Rath Lugh that will further delay the project?

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