The impact of the proposed motorway route on archaeological features at Carrickmines and a number of other locations was acknowledged as an important element of the EIA process. Dúchas, the heritage service of the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, participated in the public consultation and inquiry involved, together with other parties, including An Taisce, which was also interested in archaeological issues. The selected route, as subsequently endorsed by the Minister, was generally endorsed by all of these parties as the best environmental option.