The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, has said he is committed to ensuring there will be no major development along the route of the M3 motorway, close to Tara, Co Meath.
He was speaking at the launch of Heritage Week, which is expected to involve a quarter of a million people in events across the country.
The case of the M3 motorway and Tara is a prime example of the clash between development and heritage.
The Heritage Council wants the Government to designate such zones landscape conservation areas to prevent major development on them.
Mr Gormley said it was his aim to protect Ireland's heritage.
