WRITTEN QUESTION P-1746/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Carrickmines Castle archeological finds.
Date: 2003-05-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Ireland, environmental impact, heritage protection, historic site, impact study, motorway

C 88 E/368

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

The Commission is aware that Mrs. Joyce Miamuna Katai was murdered by youths at Rafin Kunama
polling station at Toto in Nasarawa State on 3 May 2003. It appears that the deceased had intervened to
stop election fraud when the youths attacked and chased her to the local police station where they killed
the Commissioner and two assistants.

The Commission has not made a specific demarche to the authorities on this matter, however, in writing
to congratulate President Obasanjo on his re-election, it has made an explicit reference to electoral violence
and the need to ensure that all cases are fully investigated and that perpetrators will be brought to justice.

The Commission is supporting the transition to democracy in Nigeria. The ACP-EU Partnership Agreement
signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 sets out in article 9 three essential elements (cid:1) respect for human
rights, democratic principles and the rule of law. The Country Strategy signed with Nigeria on 16 July
2002 (1) will directly support measures to promote these principles. Nigeria is also a focal country for the
European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). The Commission supported local observers
and fielded a large international team to monitor the recent elections.

(1) http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/body/csp_rsp/csp_en.cfm.

(2004/C 88 E/0374)

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
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?

the Carrickmines site? Further

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40.
(2) Written reply dated 22 October 2002.

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(5 April 2004)

In July 2003, the Commission obtained its own expert opinion on the archaeological content of the
environmental impact assessment 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 (1). It sought comments from
the Irish authorities on this, which it subsequently received. It has since provided the Honourable Member
with a copy of both the expert opinion and the response of the Irish authorities.

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.