Councillors critical of amendments to draft plan

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillors yesterday criticised a series of detailed amendments to the draft development plan, tabled…

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown councillors yesterday criticised a series of detailed amendments to the draft development plan, tabled by a Green Party member. Ms Bernadette Connolly had tabled a number of amendments to the plan, in a bid to have specific issues like the design of private housing estates and the provision of facilities for the travelling community written into the plan.

However, the Cathaoirleach, Mr Donal Marren (FG), said the effect of the amendment would be to hold up adoption of the plan. Mr Marren said the written statement was an "aspirational matter" and the detail of many of Ms Connolly's motions could have been agreed with officials before the meeting.

However, Ms Connolly said that while she was not surprised "to be opposed by the main parties" she was disappointed that councillors "couldn't see the value of being specific".

She was supported by Ms Jane Dillon-Byrne (Lab) who said there was "little point in highfalutin' ideas when the council will be no nearer specific action in another five years".