16th September 2002

PRESS RELEASE

GREEN PARTY CRITICAL OF CARRICKMINES DECISION

The Green Party has criticised the decision by Minister Seamus Brennan to run the M50 Motorway through the heart of Carrickmines Castle in south Dublin.

"The route of the road hasn't changed," stated Deputy Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party this afternoon. I am appalled that Minister Brennan has refused to listen to the arguments made by An Taisce, The Green Party and the occupiers of the Castle. Minister Brennan did not even have the courtesy to acknowledge or reply to correspondence from myself."

"The only change appears to have been the raising of one roundabout. It hasn't been reduced in scale, nor have the approach roads or the motorway alignment been changed. This is a dark day for Irish archaeology."

"Despite this being one of the richest archaeological finds since Wood Quay Minister Brennan has not moved the motorway or the associated roads an inch east or west of the original route."

"The Green Party is appalled at Minister Brennan's intransigence."

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, TD          087 265 2075 or 677 3372

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer    087 235 7551 or 618 4088