Madam, - I read in a recent article here in Germany that the M3 motorway being built through the Tara valley will be partly financed by European Union subsidies.
It is a condition for EU member-states which receive subsidies that they undertake not to destroy any heritage in the course of using EU funding. Yet if the M3 motorway proceeds on its planned route it will destroy the recently discovered archaeological site at Lismullin.
This matter was raised in the European Parliament in May by the Irish MEP Proinsias De Rossa, and also by the British MEP Roger Helmer. I believe the issue will also be raised in the future by German MEPs.
During my studies I lived for a period in Ireland, and came to deeply appreciate Irish culture and heritage. I find it so hard to believe that the Irish Government would seek to build a motorway through what has rightly been called the heart of Irish culture. Irish heritage is part of European heritage. Surely European Union money must not be used to destroy what all European visitors to Ireland know is something unique and precious. - Yours, etc,
CHRISTA SPANNBAUER, Holzkirchen, Germany.