(2004/C 33 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1746/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 May 2003)

Subject:   Carrickmines Castle archeological finds

Could the Commission please indicate the current position as regards its investigations into the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out under Directive 85/337/EEC (1) and, in particular, its failure to appraise the impact on the archaeological heritage of the Carrickmines site? Further to the Commission's answer to Oral Question H-0649/02 (2), will it please indicate when it expects to report on its investigation, bearing in mind the urgent nature of this situation, given the imminent destruction of this archaeological treasure?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 2003)

The Commission confirms that its appraisal as regards the adequacy of assessment of archaeological impacts under the environmental impact assessment (EIA) carried out on the M50 motorway project pursuant to Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (3), is ongoing. This assessment raises precise technical questions that require careful examination. Separately the Commission is aware that work on this site has been halted by a legal action in the national courts related to compliance with national law. It is conscious of the desirability of advancing the examination of the EIA aspects, and hopes to be able to convey more precise information to the Honourable Member within the next two months.

(1)  OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.

(2)  Written reply dated 22 October 2002.

(3)  OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.