The Director of the National Museum has met the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, regarding the proposed routing of the controversial M3 motorway through Co Meath's Tara-Skryne Valley.
A spokesman said Dr Pat Wallace was now going to compile a report which, it was anticipated, would take between two to three weeks to complete.
He added that once Mr Roche considered the director's report, he would make a decision regarding the archaeological issues surrounding the M3 motorway - something which must happen before construction can start.
Today's meeting was private and neither the minister nor the director were available for comment afterwards.
Dr Wallace, who has expressed concerns about the routing, was due to address the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment recently, but he withdrew after contact from the Secretary General from the Department of Arts.
Arts Minister, John O'Donoghue, later explained the director had a statutory obligation to brief Minister Roche first, however the instruction was described as 'disappointing and regrettable' by Committee Chair and Fianna Fáil TD Séan Haughey.
