Councillors and planning decisions

Sir, – In "The story of one Irish town and its empty buildings" (Weekend, October 23rd) on the decay of Strokestown, Lorcan Sirr hits the nail on the head.

Our county councillors are largely responsible for the collapse of so many towns. On the one hand, they bemoan the hollowing out of towns and villages, while on the other, stronger hand, promote an “of course, of course, wherever you want” one-off housing policy that has emptied the same settlements.

The expression “riding two horses at once” fits nicely here. They are not solely responsible, though. After all, don’t we, their constituents, elect them to do what we want?

– Yours, etc,

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DENIS HEALY,

Salthill,

Galway.