Sir, – Frank McDonald refers to an absence of architects on the board of An Bord Pleanála (January 6th). I have no doubt that if Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan were building/ refurbishing/extending his home he would rightly employ the services of the best architect he could find. Do the citizens of our country deserve less?
Despite mistakes in the past regarding the preservation and construction of the built environment, we are not (yet) a nation of visual illiterates. We have a beautiful country. We need the expertise of qualified architects to keep it that way. I am sure there are many excellent architects who are ready, willing and able to take on this task. Please, Minister, give them a chance! – Yours, etc,