The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, has said he will make a decision in a few weeks' time on whether to issue licences for archaeological excavations along the controversial route of the M3 motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley.
Mr Roche said that no decision would be made before he responded to the Director of the National Museum, Pat Wallace, who has raised concerns about the planning and landscaping of the route.
The Ulster Unionists today expressed concern at reports that the minister was to grant the licences.
The general area is of historical significance to unionists as the Battle of the Boyne took place in the Boyne Valley, which extends to the Tara Valley.
