Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the work carried out by his Department and the National Roads Authority to ensure the ongoing protection of the national monument at Rath Lugh, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33461/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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On 7 March 2008, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the National Monuments Act 1930 (as amended), I placed a preservation order on the national monument known as Rath Lugh in the townland of Lismullin, County Meath.

To assess the stability of the esker on which the monument is located, I commissioned a report from a firm of independent consultants with relevant expertise in this matter. The report recommended that a number of precautionary measures be put in place to ensure that the esker is not undermined during the nearby road construction works or in the longer term.

On 14 August 2008, the National Roads Authority informed my Department that the construction of a crib wall on the esker had been completed. The purpose of this wall is to secure the stability of the slope of the esker on which the national monument is located during the construction works and in the longer term when the motorway is in operation. This approach was confirmed as an appropriate solution by the independent consultants.

The relevant reports are available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Furthermore, I have arranged for regular inspections to be carried out by my Department to monitor and assess the condition of the national monument at Rath Lugh. The aim of the inspections is to monitor any impacts on the monument and to assess any impacts that may be caused by the works on the motorway.

The lands on which the monument is located are owned by Coillte, the semi-State forestry body. My Department's National Monuments Service has been in contact with Coillte regarding the protection of the monument and has received Coillte's full co-operation in this matter. My Department will, in addition, be meeting with Coillte later this month to discuss the ongoing protection of the monument. I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place to monitor the ongoing protection of the national monument.