The European Environnment Commissioner, Stavos Dimas, has said he is disappointed Ireland has not accepted the Commission's view that improvements are needed in our planning legislation.
The Commission has begun legal action against the State over what they say is its failure to fully transpose Environmental Impact Assessment directive into Irish law.
As an example they have cited the decision not to have a second EIA when the national monument at Lismullen was found on the route of the M3.
The commission also say there is a weakness in Irish legislation because the decision making process is split between the planning authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, said the Irish view was supported by legal advice from the Attorney General as well as judgements from the High and Supreme courts.
He said a review of archaeological practices is about to begin which will involve all those interested in the process.
The Government hopes this will help resolve many of the issues with the European Commission.
The National Roads Authority said work on the motorway would continue.
It said it had taken advice under Irish law and this issue did not involve them.
