Post by RedFlag32 on Jul 28, 2007 21:57:42 GMT
PRESS RELEASE
TARAWATCH.org
27 July 2007
'Tara Protest Song Increases Pressure on Minister Gormley'
At a press briefing today, TaraWatch outlined plans for the coming
months to increase pressure on Minister for the Environment, John
Gormley, to use his legal powers to save Tara from the M3 motorway.
A new protest song, entitled "Tara’s Eye" (money-mad-mile) , sung by
Liam Ó Maonlai was released at the press briefing, and is available for
free download at www.myspace.com/songfortara.
The release of the song is timed to coincide with an escalation of the
TaraWatch campaign to put pressure on Minister Gormley, in an effort to
compel him to use his legal powers to save Tara.
At the briefing, it was pointed out that the Minister has broken all of
his promises in relation to Tara, including;
- While stating he would have an 'open door' policy, the Minister has
refused to meet with TaraWatch representatives.
- After saying he "considers it to be in the public interest that the
relevant papers be made publicly available", he has refused to release
the Reasoned Opinion that was recently sent from the European
Commission to the Irish Government in relation to the M3.
- While claiming that he "plans for a major review of archaeological
practice and policy as it relates to his department", he refuses to
propose a bill that would re-route the M3.
- After saying “I will not hesitate to exercise my statutory powers to
issue directions appropriate to the particular circumstances should any
new site of national importance emerge,” the Minister has refused to
recognise that a new underground complex of medieval souterrains has
been discovered in the path of the M3, and is a site of national
importance.
In addition, the Minister has issued a series of press releases, which
claim that he has no legal power to act. TaraWatch maintains that he
does have the legal power, but does not have the political support of
Fianna Fail, to perform his duties to the highest legal standards.
TaraWatch is planning a number of protests, concerts and events,
designed to keep pressure on the Minister, even after the matter goes
to the courts.
Vincent Salafia said:
"The song is a huge morale boost for campaigners who lost a lot of
heart since Minister Gormley made it clear he does not have the
conviction to save Tara. The words capture the essence of the issue.
"The spin coming out of the Department of the Environment now is even
worse than when Roche was in office.
Laura Grealish said:
"It is disgusting that the Minister has refused to meet any of us, and
it is clear he would love to see us go to court, so they can make his
decisions for him.
"Private citizens should not be forced to go to court, while he goes on
holidays.
ENDS
Contact: Laura Grealish 087-972-8603 / Vincent Salafia 087-132-3365
DOWNLOAD FROM TaraWatch.org or www.myspace.com/songfortara
TARAWATCH.org
27 July 2007
'Tara Protest Song Increases Pressure on Minister Gormley'
At a press briefing today, TaraWatch outlined plans for the coming
months to increase pressure on Minister for the Environment, John
Gormley, to use his legal powers to save Tara from the M3 motorway.
A new protest song, entitled "Tara’s Eye" (money-mad-mile) , sung by
Liam Ó Maonlai was released at the press briefing, and is available for
free download at www.myspace.com/songfortara.
The release of the song is timed to coincide with an escalation of the
TaraWatch campaign to put pressure on Minister Gormley, in an effort to
compel him to use his legal powers to save Tara.
At the briefing, it was pointed out that the Minister has broken all of
his promises in relation to Tara, including;
- While stating he would have an 'open door' policy, the Minister has
refused to meet with TaraWatch representatives.
- After saying he "considers it to be in the public interest that the
relevant papers be made publicly available", he has refused to release
the Reasoned Opinion that was recently sent from the European
Commission to the Irish Government in relation to the M3.
- While claiming that he "plans for a major review of archaeological
practice and policy as it relates to his department", he refuses to
propose a bill that would re-route the M3.
- After saying “I will not hesitate to exercise my statutory powers to
issue directions appropriate to the particular circumstances should any
new site of national importance emerge,” the Minister has refused to
recognise that a new underground complex of medieval souterrains has
been discovered in the path of the M3, and is a site of national
importance.
In addition, the Minister has issued a series of press releases, which
claim that he has no legal power to act. TaraWatch maintains that he
does have the legal power, but does not have the political support of
Fianna Fail, to perform his duties to the highest legal standards.
TaraWatch is planning a number of protests, concerts and events,
designed to keep pressure on the Minister, even after the matter goes
to the courts.
Vincent Salafia said:
"The song is a huge morale boost for campaigners who lost a lot of
heart since Minister Gormley made it clear he does not have the
conviction to save Tara. The words capture the essence of the issue.
"The spin coming out of the Department of the Environment now is even
worse than when Roche was in office.
Laura Grealish said:
"It is disgusting that the Minister has refused to meet any of us, and
it is clear he would love to see us go to court, so they can make his
decisions for him.
"Private citizens should not be forced to go to court, while he goes on
holidays.
ENDS
Contact: Laura Grealish 087-972-8603 / Vincent Salafia 087-132-3365
DOWNLOAD FROM TaraWatch.org or www.myspace.com/songfortara