James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, to the House and compliment him on his approach to his new portfolio. Senators appreciate that he has informed us of the areas for which he holds responsibility. I do not intend to put Senator Mansergh on stilts and provide him with an overview of the countryside from Ardee to Dundalk, Navan and Cavan. He covered those areas rather than the Hill of Tara.

I support this important motion. While recognising the importance of the proposed motorway, nowhere could our archaeological heritage be more at risk than at the Hill of Tara which is threatened by the demands of progress. The people recognise the necessity of developing an adequate road infrastructure despite the undisputed heritage value of the area. If this project goes ahead, the conflict between the past and the future will result in the certain destruction of at least 25 known sites in the place of kings, saints and scholars. Tara is a place of magic steeped in history. It is a well recognised centre of Celtic identity of which we are proud. Leaders from all over the world have been brought to view artefacts from the site. We are proud to show off our heritage in legend and culture in the area.

"Tara is, because of its associations, probably the most consecrated spot in Ireland, and its destruction will leave many bitter memories behind it." Thus spoke Douglas Hyde, George Moore and William Butler Yeats as reported in The Times in 1902. Nobody has a greater understanding of our magical heritage than W.B. Yeats whose writings give voice to our cultural heritage in all its facets. Now, 102 years later the fate of Tara again hangs in the balance. The threat then was of British Jews digging up the hill in search of the Ark of the Covenant, but this has been replaced by the far more destructive threat of the National Roads Authority.

The NRA has been accused of reducing the seriousness of the issue in its claims that Tara is confined to a cluster of monuments on top of the hill. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nothing, in particular a road, should be allowed anywhere near Tara. This should not, however, take from the commitment of the NRA to develop roads while spending money on archaeology. The people, in particular those who live in County Meath, want and need the proposed motorway, but not at the expense of the destruction of Tara. We all recognise this. Senator O'Toole and I spoke to people in the area, to the farming community and the people of County Meath on this issue. They all favour development, but not the destruction of Tara.

It is hoped the ongoing discussions between the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will produce an acceptable solution to this impasse. It is important they do and that this meeting takes place urgently. All bodies should be brought in on the discussions in a consultative role. We should have a select committee in place to deal with the issues of archaeological sites and developments that we can expect to come on stream. We need something in place to deal with this area.

Last July during the debate on the rushed National Monuments (Amendment) Bill 2004 I said that the clash between the present and past had never been greater. I pointed out that the drive to create and expand our horizons was aided and abetted by our increasing knowledge and technical advances. I indicated that the destruction of the primary source of our history was inexcusable in our headlong rush towards so-called progress. I pointed out that the Bill gave the guardianship of our past exclusively to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It placed a heavy responsibility on both the Minister and the Government.

Tonight's motion asks the Minister for Transport to intervene in co-operation with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to find the most suitable route for this important motorway. Experts have advised the Department that the P route would be the best in this case. The Labour Party has argued that the site at Tara is littered with archaeological monuments. There is no disputing the fact that we cannot damage the culture and history of this 5,000 year old site which is of significant importance in terms of tourism.

The Fine Gael Party believes that development and archaeology can go hand in hand. The nub of the argument is whether we should preserve the monuments in situ or record them. The latter will be at the core of Fine Gael's policy. The road is essential and must be built. Archaeological sites must be preserved in situ wherever possible and where that is not the case artefacts should be brought to museums and preserved.

The route chosen should have the least possible impact on surrounding archaeological sites. However, we should not be in any doubt that urgent road works need to commence in some areas. The original road capacity envisaged for the M3 was approximately 11,600 cars per day but the number of cars today is in the region of 21,700 and this is set to rise next year to 36,600. If the road cannot cope with the current volume of traffic it will not be able to do so in ten years. Fine Gael believes work must commence on this new road as a matter of urgency.

On several previous occasions I highlighted the development of the N55, the main route from Belfast through Armagh, Monaghan, Clones, Cavan, Granard, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown and on to Athlone. This is an important route which, if developed, would draw a significant amount of congestion away from the east coast. This option should be examined even at this late stage. I would appreciate if the Minister would consider upgrading the road from national secondary status to national primary status. We need a main artery through the midlands. I have been promoting this matter for some time and I would appreciate if the Minister of State would take this matter on board. I do not dispute the fact that we need an M3 but we do not need it on the Hill of Tara.