Opponents of the M3 motorway route through the environmentally sensitive Tara-Skryne valley have attacked the decision to allow the development, describing it as "shameful" and "a betrayal of the country's Celtic heritage."
Plans for the motorway have sparked fierce opposition from archaeologists, historians, politicians and environmental groups.
Labour Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Mr Eamon Gilmore
Archaeologist Dr Edel Bhreathnach of the Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute, UCD, said she was not surprised at the "shameful decision which will have repercussions far and wide."
Heather Buchanan of the Save the Tara-Skreen Valley group said she was "disgusted" and felt "ashamed to be Irish" after the decision had been announced. She said the next step would be to take the case to the Europe.
The Green Party spokesman Mr Ciarán Cuffe said the move was "an enormous mistake."
He said "Dick Roche could have refused to issue the archaeological licence. This would have caused Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority to go back to the drawing board and consider alternative routes east or west of the Tara complex."
The Labour Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Mr Eamon Gilmore, said the decision to proceed was "a betrayal of the country's Celtic heritage that will result in the destruction of the Tara landscape."
Mr Gilmore said the Minister had "full discretion not to grant permits under the National Monuments Act. This would have resulted in the National Roads Authority and An Bord Pleanála having to reconsider the route of the proposed motorway."
At odds with most of the political reaction, Fine Gael's Spokesman for the Environment Fergus O'Dowd, welcomed the decision but said the Government had dithered for two years while commuters spent up to five hours a day going to and from work.
"Finally we have clarity on this issue, and this motorway will allow thousands to spend more time with their families and less time stuck in gridlock."
He also called for areas around the motorway to be sterilised to curb unnecessary development which would spoil the landscape.
