TD looks to the east for solution to urban clutter

No sooner has the Government promised a light-rail system, a metro and whatever you're having yourself for Dublin, than a Fianna Fail backbencher has upped the ante by calling for Feng Shui principles to be applied in future city planning.

The Dublin Central TD, Marian McGennis, has turned to ancient eastern wisdom for a solution to urban clutter at a time when the Government is pinning some of its hopes on the ancient eastern bypass option.

Ms McGennis says the oriental practice of organising the environment "in order to live more harmoniously with the perceived energy fields around it" could improve the appearance and atmosphere of Irish towns and cities.

The challenge may be particularly acute in Dublin, where many of the surrounding energy fields were rezoned in dubious circumstances during the late 1980s.

Nonetheless, citing recommendations in a report now being considered by the British government, Ms McGennis says urban centres could be improved by simply getting rid of "ugly railings, bollards and signposts", or by using "newly-designed bollards to help light streets".

While many in the West regard Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway) as a load of bollards, the philosophy has been gaining in popularity. Long influential in Hong Kong, where no serious building is done without consulting Feng Shui experts, its adherents attributed Britain's loss of the colony to the inauspicious location of the governor's mansion.

The last governor, Chris Patten, whose recommendations on making the RUC more auspicious to Catholics are currently being implemented, is a reported enthusiast.

There are two different schools of Feng Shui, but crucial to both is the maintenance of balance between the competing forms of energy: the female Yin and the male Yang. Imbalances can cause major problems, and the implications for Bertie Ahern's Government are obvious.

Tensions between the Yin and Yang dogged the Coalition during the past Dail session, with the Yin being particularly incensed at the Yang's seeming attempt to distance himself from the Hugh O'Flaherty nomination controversy.

It is not known, however, whether the Taoiseach supports Ms McGennis's Feng Shui policy. The TD herself admits she is no expert on the practice, but says the increasing respect for Feng Shui is part of "a huge growth in interest" in eastern philosophies in general. "I would strongly urge local authorities to consider the possible design applications", she said.