The Meath Chambers of Commerce have called on the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, to immediately give the go ahead for the controversial M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley.
The chambers tonight released the results of survey that they commissioned from Oxford Research and Analysis Ltd.
500 people in Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells were interviewed for the survey.
80% of those surveyed were in favour or had no objection to the present route of the M3 close to the Hill of Tara, the chambers said.
Earlier, it emerged that the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment will write letters later this week appealing for the Director of the National Museum, Dr Pat Wallace, to be allowed give his opinion on the proposed route.
The letters are being sent to Mr Roche and Arts Minister John O'Donoghue after Dr Wallace disclosed he could not attend last week's M3 hearing following contact with the Secretary General of the Department of Arts.
Mr O'Donoghue said public comments by the Director could prejudice his official report to the Minister for the Environment.
However, the Committee Chairman, Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey, described it as 'disappointing' and 'regrettable'.
The Save Tara Skryne Valley Group, which opposes the proposed routing of the M3, is due to make an oral presentation to the Oireachtas Committee on Transport tomorrow.
