Madam, - This correspondence has provoked a variety of responses. I think it needs to be emphasised that the solution needed is not a simple restoration or revamping of the baths but rather an overall plan for the site for the benefit of the community. The scale of such a project would require funding from central Government. The suggestion that the project be funded exclusively from council and port revenue is impractical. It is like expecting to build a home extension out of the housekeeping money.
There is wide acceptance that these grounds should be kept in public ownership and anyone who doubts that special funding from central Government is needed for the project should study the Indecon Review of local government financing. On a per household basis, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown ranks second lowest among 29 county councils in funding from central Government. Properly drafted, this project is an opportunity for the Government to redress this imbalance and at the same time do something worthwhile to improve coastal facilities for the capital city and give Dún Laoghaire back its public amenity - the Dún Laoghaire baths. - Yours, etc,
Cllr JOHN BAILEY, Dún Laoghaire Fine Gael, Killiney, Co Dublin.