Sir, - "I don't believe it" was my initial reaction to the comments of John Clarke, Chief Executive of the Irish National Stud, in relation to the threat posed to Pollardstown Fen, (The Irish Times May 10th). My disbelief turned to total incredulity when I read the viewpoint of Mr Peter Thorne, the resident project engineer on the Kildare by-pass scheme. Therefore, I have waited until now before commenting to allow them time to avail of your Corrections and Clarifications column, or the Letters page, to amend the statements attributed to them.
Anybody remotely connected to Ireland's tourism industry will be aware that, time and time again, surveys of visitors to Ireland show that many diverse aspects of our heritage are major factors influencing people's decisions to holiday in Ireland. Therefore, it behoves anybody involved in tourism to take a holistic approach to the many different aspects of our natural and man-made environment. If one sector suffers, others will also suffer. At one point in my career, I had responsibility for the care and maintenance of a 16th century Tower House at Craggaunowen, Co Clare. Routine works on roof spaces and attic areas were never undertaken without advice from the Wildlife Service of Duchas in relation to bat roosts and nurseries present there. This action was prompted not just because of my own personal interest in wildlife but also because the large bat population was instrumental in keeping a natural measure of control on insect numbers in the grounds, thereby enhancing the woodland walk amenity for visitors to the site.
The Heritage Act gives recognition to aspects of our patrimony such as wildlife habitats, heritage gardens, landscapes, waterways, and so forth. The proposed methodology for constructing the bypass around Kildare threatens a major internationally recognised refuge for flora and fauna and will interfere drastically with the local landscape. There is also the potential threat to a major source of water for the Grand Canal. In my opinion it would be better for the new road to be constructed in a conventional manner using baffles, sound-reducing fences, and a wide band of trees and shrubs to eliminate the impact of traffic noise on the tempermental stallions of Kildare.
In relation to Mr Thorne's comments, as a project engineer undertaking a major scheme being funded by, and through, the Department of the Environment who admits that he is not qualified to deal with environmental implications raised by the scheme he should, and must, take the advice proffered by those who are qualified.
All of us who are interested in Ireland's heritage and concept of sustainable development in the tourism industry, as well as in the wider economy, must recognise that all aspects of our natural and man-made environment are equally worthy of consideration when planning for the future. Otherwise, I fear that Ireland's favoured status as a tourism destination could soon have "one foot in the grave" due to the adverse publicity which comments such as those attributed to Mr Clarke and Mr Thorne may attract at home and abroad. - Yours, etc.,
Tom Cassidy, Raheen, Limerick.