I hope that is why I am remembered and not because of other issues. It is a unique monument, I accept that, and I visited it. The Deputy may not have had the opportunity to look at the measure in great detail, but section 14 of the National Monuments Act, as amended by the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, not section 14 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act, to which the Deputy referred incorrectly, applies only to national monuments and prohibits interference. It is clear that we have taken no illegal action in this area.
I accept that Carrickmines Castle is unique and we have achieved the best compromise. I arranged for An Taisce to meet the National Roads Authority and I asked the National Roads Authority to ensure the preservation of the maximum amount of the castle. The road is not going through the castle, the castle is to the side. It will, however, go over some of the outer walls. I asked the NRA to consider raising the roundabout so that the outer walls can be viewed, and that is being done.
We have achieved the best result with the castle being preserved and those parts of the outer walls that are affected by the road visible to those interested by descending a flight of steps. We need this motorway. There are 80,000 cars on the M50 and the idea that the ring-road of the M50 would not be finished would cause chaos around Dublin.