Madam, - Liam Aylward MEP, as a representative of the main Government party, should be aware that "the political direction that local authorities take when it comes to the granting or otherwise of planning permission for once-off houses in our country" is set not by An Taisce, but by the Government and the local authorities themselves.
An Taisce's only role is to highlight to planners cases where proposed developments would be contrary to these policies.
Mr Aylward says that An Taisce's power "must be reined back", but An Taisce has no powers either to set policy or to enforce policy - these are functions of Government.
I am not a member of An Taisce but I know a scapegoating exercise when I see one. - Yours, etc,
RYAN MEADE,
Clonmacnoise Road,
Dublin 12.