Sir, - The motorway at Carrickmines has not yet been built, but already the first bandwagon has travelled its length bearing Proinsias De Rossa, hysterical mediaevalists and professional protesters. None of these seem to be part of the real world.
Mr De Rossa (September 19th) chides the Minister for Transport for being "not comfortable" with his decision on Carrickmines Castle. Taking political decisions in a real world is not a comfortable activity as decisions frequently require a compromise between competing objectives. In the case of Carrickmines Castle, the outcome is one where 60 per cent of the site will be conserved, an arrangement grounded in the positive proposals put forward by the South Co Dublin Association of An Taisce and endorsed by Dúchas, the State Heritage Service.
The only political life that is comfortable - very comfortable - is that provided by the world of virtual politics inhabited by Members of the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. But I can tell you what is really uncomfortable: having to endure daily the continual traffic gridlock in Ballinteer, Dundrum, Sandyford and beyond, pending the completion of the south Co Dublin motorway system. And now Mr De Rossa is going to invoke Brussels, with the prospect of delaying work and extending the period of purgatory for the people of South Dublin for endless years.
At this time, when the role and advantages of the EU are being widely debated in Ireland, Mr De Rossa's ranting intervention will make the thousands of people who live in, work in and travel through south Co Dublin question the benefits the EU brings to the environmental quality of their everyday lives.
As for the mediaevalists and their concern for the conservation of historical and archaeological sites, it would be better for them to direct their energies into positive action on sites throughout the country, already officially afforded protection, where there is a constant loss of artefacts through damage and removal. - Yours, etc.,
K. MAWHINNEY,
Clonard Drive,
Dublin 16.