OscailtOpposition TDs and Senators Pledge to Challenge Government Over M3 MotorwaytaraWatch delegation to Dail on Wednesday 2 July 2009
Breaking news: Italian MP, Sgarbi denounces the Statistical Fraud on COVID-19. The speech of the Member of Parliament Vittorio Sgarbi in the session of the Italian Camera, Meeting no. 331 of Friday 24, April, 2020. Vittorio Sgarbi, denounces the closure of 60% of the businesses for 25,000 COVID-19 Deaths, of which the National Institute of Health says 96.3% died NOT of COVID-19 but of other pathologies. That means only 925 have died of the virus. 24,075 have died of other things.2009-07-03T08:34:20+00:00Indymedia Irelandimc-ireland@lists.indymedia.iehttp://www.indymedia.ie/atomfullposts?story_id=93000http://www.indymedia.ie/graphics/feedlogo.gifParliamentary Questions submitted by Sinn Feinhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2552282009-07-03T08:34:20+00:00TaraWatchinfo at tarawatch dot orgTaraWatch would like to thank Deputy Aengus O Snodaigh and Sinn Fein for submitt...TaraWatch would like to thank Deputy Aengus O Snodaigh and Sinn Fein for submitting all of the questions we gave to them. <br />
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We would also like to thank Maureen O'Sullivan for agreeing to sit on the Parliamentary group for Tara.<br />
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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS - 2 July 2009<br />
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Submitted<br />
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1. To ask the Minister for Environment why he didn’t submit the Hill of Tara and the entire revised Ireland’s Tentative List of UNESCO sites to UNESCO as promised, for this month’s 33rd Session of the World Heritage Committee in Seville, Spain.<br />
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2. To ask the Minister for Environment how much money has been spent in hiring consultants and reviewing Ireland’s list of World Heritage Sites in the past two years?<br />
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3. To ask the Minister for Environment what is the current plan in relation to revising Ireland’s Tentative List of UNESCO sites?<br />
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4. To ask the Minister for Environment how could the Minister, or the Minister’s advisors make a determination of the ability of Tara to become a UNESCO site, before the advisors had visited the site or reviewed the M3?<br />
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5. To ask the Minister for Environment is he aware that TaraWatch nominated the Hill of Tara as a world Heritage site, but only on condition that the M3 was rerouted, because of the fact that it passes through the middle of the proposed World Heritage Site. <br />
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6. To ask the Minister for Environment does the Minister still consider that UNESCO will accept the Hill of Tara as a UNESCO sites with the M3 passing through it?<br />
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7. To ask the Minister for Environment can he define the area of the proposed Tara World Heritage Site?<br />
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8. To ask the Minister for Environment has he considered the costs involved if UNESCO demands that Ireland move the M3 motorway, once Tara is declared a World Heritage Site?<br />
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9. To ask the Minister for Environment has he included Eurolink Consortium (SIAC, Ferrovial and Cintra), the M3 Public Private Partners, in the consultation process for making Tara a World Heritage Site? If so, what has been their involvement?<br />
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10. To ask the Minister for Environment has he included Iarnrod Éireann in the consultation process, as the preferred route for Navan-Dublin railway was announced in May, and will be passing through the proposed Tara World Heritage Site?<br />
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11. To ask the Minister for Environment has he included Eirgrid in the consultation process, as the Minister for Transport has proposed that the North-south Electrical Connector be placed underground along the M3 or the N3, thereby passing through the proposed Tara World Heritage Site?<br />
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12. To ask the Minister for Environment why did he not revoke archaeological licenses and halt excavations on the M3, in the Lismullin/Tara area, when the European Commission put the Government on notice that an EIA was required?<br />
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13. To ask the Minister for Environment how much money has been spent on outside legal counsel to defend this action in relation to the requirement for an EIA for the M3 project in the European Court of Justice<br />
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14. To ask the Minister for Environment what will be the consequences of for the M3 motorway if the ECJ finds against Ireland?<br />
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15. To ask the Minister for Environment what will be the consequences for the National Monuments Act and archaeological codes of practice, if the ECJ finds against Ireland?<br />
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16. To ask the Minister for Environment what will be the consequences for capital infrastructure projects, already under way, if the ECJ finds against Ireland in relation to EIAs.<br />
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17. To ask the Minister for Environment can he explain why he did present a new National Monuments Act as promised in the middle of 2008?<br />
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18. To ask the Minister for Environment in light of the legal action initiated by the European Commission, and his own admission that there are ‘gaps’ in how archaeological finds are dealt with in certain circumstances, can he explain why he is defending the EIA case being taken against Ireland by the European Commission, rather than amending the Act to adopt the recommendations of the Commission?<br />
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19. To ask the Minister for Environment how much money has been spent conducting a consultation for a revision of the National Monuments Act and archaeological policy?<br />
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20. To ask the Minister for Environment why he has agreed a Code of Practice with Eirgrid, when it is based on an admittedly flawed National Monuments Act?<br />
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21. To ask the Minister for Finance is he aware that the European Commission has sent a Reasoned Opinion to the Irish Government, to the effect that the National Development Plan 2007-2013, containing Transport 21, is in breach of EU law, due to the fact that it has not been subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) under the SEA Directive. SEA requires cost-benefit analysis, independent expert assessment and public participation in decision-making, and what was his response to the Commission?<br />
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22. To ask the Minister for Finance why does he continue to perform SEA on the NDP and Transport 21?<br />
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23. To ask the Minister for Finance is he aware that the M3 motorway, Navan-Dublin railway, and North-South Electrical Connector are all proposed to cut through the proposed Tara World Heritage Site, in breach of the SEA Directive?<br />
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24. To ask the Minister for Finance will he performed a new cost/benefit analysis on the M3 motorway, Transport 21 and National Development Plan, in light of the materially changed long-term economic circumstances?<br />
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25. To ask the Minister for Finance does he feel that the public private partnership approach to the M3 and other motorways is still economically viable, given the enormous amount of toll revenue that goes to multinational companies?<br />
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26 - To ask the Minister for Transport is he aware that the M3 motorway, the preferred route for the Navan to Dublin railway, and possibly the route for the North South Electrical connector will pass through that the area of the proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site and accompanying Buffer Zone, the Minister for the Environment is proposing and has he consulted with the Minister for the Environment on this matter:Has the National Roads Authority consulted with the Minister for the Environment on this matter; has he considered the consequences, if UNESCO tells the Irish Government to move the M3, the Dublin-Navan railway and the Electrical Connector and has he received advice on whether his proposal to run power lines along the M3 requires a new EIA?<br />
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27 - To ask the Minister for Transport regarding the current case being brought by the European Commission against Ireland, in the European Court of Justice, for failure to implement the EIA Directive, can the Minister please answer the following questions: why did the Minister not order the NRA to halt works on the M3, in the Tara area, when the European Commission put the Government on notice that an EIA was required, how much money has been spent on outside legal counsel to defend this action in the ECJ; What will be the consequences of for the M3 motorway if the ECJ finds against Ireland; What will be the consequences for the National Monuments Act and the NRA codes of practice, if the ECJ finds against Ireland; what will be the consequences for transport projects, already under way, if the ECJ finds against Ireland; and who bears the risk for costs if the ECJ orders a new EIA on the M3 and how much public money has been spent on the M3 Motorway so far?<br />
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28 - To ask the Minister for Transport considering the recent slow-down in the financial commercial activity, rural development, along with the highest increase in unemployment in Ireland in County Meath, has the Minister performed a new cost/benefit analysis on the M3 motorway?<br />
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29 - To ask the Minister for Transport Has the Minister considered that it would be much more cost effective, and indeed profitable, to route the M3, the Railway and the Electrical Connector along the same route to the west of the proposed Tara World Heritage Site, and service the town of Trim?<br />
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30 - To ask the Minister for Transport how much profit does the Government stand to make off the M3 motorway in toll revenue; and can you please supply the traffic projections, which these profits are based on?<br />
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31 - To ask the Minister for Transport how much profit does the Eurolink Consortium stand to make off the M3 motorway in toll revenue; and can you please supply the traffic projections, which these profits are based on?<br />
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Realityhttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2552382009-07-03T12:14:11+00:00old codgerThe Green ministers are just as corrupt as Fianna Fail. They are now wedded to t...The Green ministers are just as corrupt as Fianna Fail. They are now wedded to them because they know that their betrayal of the people that voted for the Green Party , leaves them ruined in the next election. They have to do what Fianna Fail wants them to.<br />
The government does not care about EU or UN fines it is not them that will pay them, it is the Tax payer and the stupid electorate that have let crime flourish in Irish politics for decades.<br />
THIS IS A CORRUPT STATE HUMAN OR CIVIL RIGHTS ARE NON EXISTANT IN IRELAND THE LAND OF THE GREAT PRETENDERS.<br />
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VOTE NO TO LISBON They will not pay for their crimes but you will.30 membershttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2552852009-07-04T01:06:52+00:00AccuracyI think I can count 10, and that includes ababy. where are the 30 members.
wow!...I think I can count 10, and that includes ababy. where are the 30 members. <br />
wow! that Td will have fun getting answers to all those questions - will they make any sense with all that lot! <br />
The old codger is right, the people elected these people. they voted to destroy Tara and they just don't care. Get a life now and give it up. Its over and done with30 plushttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2552882009-07-04T01:29:03+00:00Anti-Troll SquadAccuracy indeed.
The delegation stayed for over two hours, during which time ma...Accuracy indeed.<br />
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The delegation stayed for over two hours, during which time many people came and went - as some could only get out of work for a lunch time visit. Joanna Tuffy isn't in the pictures either, but she was there, as was Arthur Morgan. In fact 30 was a conservative figure. Not that is matters. There were two people down the street protesting about Shell, and one other with a big sign protesting about child abuse.<br />
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There are three responsible Ministers, and many issues relating to the Hill of Tara, such as tolls, heritage, EU courts, transport, human rights, UNESCO, environment, budgeting, climate change, etc. And one thing is very clear. It's not over. In fact, it is just beginning. <br />
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That's why it was important enough for Sinn Fein, Labour, Fine Gael and Independent TDs and Senators to participate. Many of them are forming a political grouping for Tara. <br />
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The next political grouping they form will be called 'The Government' - so get used to it.<br />
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The Bigger Picture ("Legal Profession Corruption at its very worst")http://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2553462009-07-04T19:41:48+00:00W. Finnerty."Gerry Hogan, senior counsel for Mr Salafia, claimed the legislation used to pus..."Gerry Hogan, senior counsel for Mr Salafia, claimed the legislation used to push through the project (via Tara Complex) was unconstitutional."<br />
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The above quote appeared on the Daily Telegraph web site on January 14th 2006. Please see at: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/1507761/Seat-of-Celtic-kings-is-threatened-by-motorway.html" title="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/1507761/Seat-of-Celtic-kings-is-threatened-by-motorway.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/irelan....html</a><br />
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Vincent Salafia settles the Euros 600,000 Tara court case, October 3rd 2006: <a href="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78793" title="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78793">http://www.indymedia.ie/article/78793</a><br />
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Workers destroy Baronstown (Tara Complex) at 4am on Wednesday July 4th 2007: <a href="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83306" title="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83306">http://www.indymedia.ie/article/83306</a> (Today is the 2nd anniversary of the destruction.)<br />
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Several others have been informed regarding the above:<br />
<a href="http://www.humanrightsireland.com/DrAnneJeffers/4July2009/Email.htm" title="http://www.humanrightsireland.com/DrAnneJeffers/4July2009/Email.htm">http://www.humanrightsireland.com/DrAnneJeffers/4July20...l.htm</a> <br />
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Irish Costs orders in breach of human rightshttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2553472009-07-04T20:06:40+00:00Vincent SalafiaWilliam, thank you for raising the issue of costs issue, in relation to Tara, an...William, thank you for raising the issue of costs issue, in relation to Tara, and putting it in a constitutional and human rights context. <br />
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So many environmental and other important cases have been forced to settle, or never made it into court in the first place, due to the punitive costs scheme here in Ireland, such as the Dominic Dunne case at Trim Castle, and cases involving the Corrib gas refinery. <br />
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It is a breach of human rights and access to justice provisions of the AARHUS Convention that litigants who act in the public interest, with nothing to gain, are hit with massive costs orders when they lose a case.<br />
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While your main focus seems to be to accuse the legal profession of corruption (and I am not here to defend the legal profession) I think it is somewhat misdirected, in that the main problem is that Ireland has not ratified the ARRHIS Convention in full, which would force judges to change their methodology in awarding punitive costs against litigants and in favour of the State. That must be done by the legislature, not the judiciary.<br />
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For more reading on this, see:<br />
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The Role of Pre-emptive / Protective Costs Orders in Environmental Judicial Review Proceedings<br />
<a href="http://www.ucc.ie/en/lawsite/eventsandnews/previousevents/environapr2006/DocumentFile,16192,en.doc" title="http://www.ucc.ie/en/lawsite/eventsandnews/previousevents/environapr2006/DocumentFile,16192,en.doc">http://www.ucc.ie/en/lawsite/eventsandnews/previouseven...n.doc</a><br />
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The European Commission took a case which sought to change the costs scheme here in Ireland, but pretty much lost the case. TaraWatch had a meeting with the Commission a couple of weeks ago, and were informed that the Commission will seek to raise the issue again in a new case. Here is the recent Decision of the Advocate General, which went against the Commission:<br />
<a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:62007C0427:EN:HTML" title="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:62007C0427:EN:HTML">http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=C...:HTML</a><br />
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Aarhus deliberately denied to Irish peoplehttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2553982009-07-05T14:59:42+00:00old codgerThe agreement hasbeen thouroghly researched by our civil servants . I was inform...The agreement hasbeen thouroghly researched by our civil servants . I was informed Two years ago that it was the politicians that are holding up ratification. As stated it is quite probable that they do not want to ratify because the deluge of crimes they have commited would have to be accounted for.<br />
How can any person in sound state of mind take the word of our political crooks, we have at least four decades of evidence of the criminal actions of numerous politicians, some of whitch are now in controll of the Banks that the taxpayer is rewarding.<br />
VOTE NO TO LISBON They do not pay for their crimes but you do.Trollinghttp://www.indymedia.ie/article/93000#comment2554022009-07-05T16:18:11+00:00Muireann Ni BhrolchainMy attention has been drawn to the fact that I am being blamed for the trolling ...My attention has been drawn to the fact that I am being blamed for the trolling comments here on this thread. <br />
I want to make it absolutely clear that I was NOT responsible for the Carrickmines comment and that I have better things to do than to troll any thread here. <br />
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