Madam, - In Frank McDonald's article headed "Businessman defends proposed plan for Dunleer" (The Irish Times, September 23rd), Mr Donal Kinsella suggests that the Labour Party supported the rezoning of his lands. This statement is both misleading and incorrect.
As the sole Labour Party member of Louth County Council, I was unable to attend the meeting of September 15th because of long-standing work commitments. Therefore I could not and did not participate in the vote.
However, as the residents of Dunleer are aware, I have worked to ensure that the development of the village takes place in a properly planned and sustainable manner.
This is shown by the fact that I seconded a motion from Deputy Fergus O'Dowd at a meeting of the Council in May to revert essentially to the original Murray O'Laoire plan, known as Plan A. This plan enjoyed the support of the council planning staff and local residents. This, in my view, represents the best way forward for the village.
Since my co-option on to Louth County Council last December, I have consistently expressed concerns about locating a large-scale development such as that proposed by Mr Kinsella in the village of Dunleer, particularly in the context of the County Retail Strategy and the County Development Plan.
I will continue to work with like-minded colleagues on Louth County Council and with the residents of Dunleer to revisit the local area plan in order to ensure that the development of the village is guided by the principles of proper and sustainable development. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr GERALD NASH, Newfield, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Madam, - One of the main factors turning the M50 motorway into a fiasco was the dubious decision of what was Dublin County Council to grant permission to developers to build the Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown shopping centres so close to it. The result is that, even at off-peak times, traffic entering and leaving these centres causes congestion.
Alas, Louth County Council has seen fit to rezone land for a "retail village" just off the new M1 in Dunleer. Those who refuse to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. The Minister for the Environment should intervene and overrule this rezoning. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN McMAHON, Elmwood, Naas, Co Kildare.