The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has challenged the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to win public support for the planned M3 motorway by re-routing it away from the Tara Valley.

A peaceful march, ending in front of the Taoiseach’s office, will take place this Saturday, September 15 and the USI is supporting the action.

President for the USI, Richard Morrisroe, said: “Seventy percent of the public are doing no more than calling for a responsible route for the M3 that avoids the Tara Valley. The significant additional cost is justified.

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“On Saturday lunchtime people from all walks of life will march to the Taoiseach’s office to show the incredible strength of public feeling. Mr Ahern is being challenged to revise the route of the M3 because public support hangs on this."

USI Environmental Awareness Officer Dave Curran said: “The Hill of Tara is a site of rare and immense value. The Taoiseach is simply being asked to support a re-routing of the M3 to avoid the areas of cultural, archaeological and natural significance that the public holds dear.

“The Government and Mr Ahern are being called upon by 70 percent of the public to do something highly responsible.”

A recent Irish Times poll found that 74% of respondents agreed that the M3 motorway “should be re-routed away from Tara”.

The national monument at Lismullen, lies on the path of the M3 motorway, close to the Hill of Tara.

It consists of two circular enclosures - the largest being 80m in diameter - which date from somewhere between 1000BC and 400AD.

(LC/SP)