Sir, - D.R. Cody's questions in his letter (June 11th) concerning the rezoning in Clane, as highlighted in Frank McDonald's excellent article of May 28th, deserve some replies.
Firstly a point of information the rezonings have not gone ahead against the wishes of 80 per cent of the adult population of Clane. Rather 80 per cent of the adult population signed a petition against the rezonings. Less than three per cent of people asked on a house to house canvas refused to sign, indicating that the true figure is probably 97 per cent against rezoning. This is confirmed by the figures in Clane community council's household survey of December last, which showed 93 per cent of responding households against the rezonings.
At a public meeting held in Clane on June 18th, D.R. Cody's first question was put many times from the floor to the councillors and TDs present: "Why do these councillors not represent the wishes of the majority?" There was no satisfactory answer. We know that the rezonings are against both the advice of Kildare county council's professional planners as well as the wishes of the people of Clane, so in response to the question, "is there some hidden agenda?", one must draw one's own conclusions.
"Who are these councillors?" asked D.R. Cody. They are two Fine Gael and two Fianna Fail councillors, well known locally and who, I am sure, will be remembered by the people of Clane when it comes to the next elections. Yours, etc.,
Ballinagappa Road,
Clane, Co Kildare.