Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 1786: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is satisfied that the works in the Gaghra Valley near the Hill of Tara are being carried out according to directions issued by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3366/07]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1864: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his Department has investigated the allegations that the clear regulations which he set down in relation to the construction of the M3, particularly the works in the vicinity of the Hill of Tara, are not being obeyed; when these investigations were conducted and the findings of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2002/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take to Questions Nos. 1786 and 1864 together.

The route of the proposed M3 road development has been archaeologically assessed through geophysical surveys and test trenching and all of the identified areas of archaeological interest have been or are being fully excavated and recorded as required under directions given in accordance with the provisions of the National Monuments Acts.

Regular reports are furnished to my Department and regular inspections are carried out by my Department of the archaeological excavations being carried out by the road authority. On the evidence of these reports and inspections, I am satisfied that the statutory directions in relation to these works are being fully complied with.

On the 4 of January last an archaeologist from my Department inspected sites where both tree felling and archaeological works are being carried out. Based on a report of that inspection, I can confirm that, while there was some surface disturbance caused by machinery, no archaeological material or objects have been disturbed by the recent tree felling operation. These tree felling operations, which were a necessary part of the advance preparatory works for the road scheme, only took place within the land-take for the road scheme. The trees were cut to stump level. The removal of the tree stumps will be carried out under archaeological supervision during the construction phase of the project.