Madam, - Labour councillors Quinn and Freehill (February 7th) are wrong to say my criticism of Dublin City Council's decision to allow housing on 75 per cent of the currently undeveloped portion of institutional lands was "premature".
Despite the provision of some safeguards, of which the councillors are proud, the net upshot for the city's institutional playing pitches and gardens still looks like 25 per cent to the public, 75 per cent to developers/housing. My simple point is that this is not a proportion that beleaguered Dubliners, who so patently already lack green space and amenities, should be happy with.
I would like also to add to the report by Tim O'Brien on "maverick" rezonings in Co Laois which breach regional planning guidelines (The Irish Times, February 5th).
He is correct to say that the High Court, in adjudicating on the case taken by Tony McEvoy and me against Meath County Council, affirmed that councillors need only "have regard to" regional planning guidelines. But it also clarified that county councils must "inform themselves fully of, and give reasonable consideration to" such guidelines and may (presumably only) "depart from them for bona fide reasons consistent with the proper planning and development of the area".
- Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL SMITH, St Rémy de Provence, France.