Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I am grateful for this opportunity to clarify my position on the situation at Carrickmines. I appreciate the genuine contribution the Senator has made this evening and will endeavour to address it.

The proposal for the south eastern motorway was approved by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in 1998. In accordance with legal requirements, a comprehensive environmental impact statement was prepared by the road authority, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. This was the basis for extensive public consultation, as well as a public inquiry, which were undertaken prior to the determination of the matter by the Minister.