Madam, - Last Wednesday was the closing date for submissions to An Bord Pleanála regarding the proposed €300 million harbour development at Greystones, Co Wicklow.
More than 5,000 were received - an overwhelming response against the plan for 375 residential units, a 250-berth marina and the handing over of the foreshore to a private developer. It is a vindication of those opposed to this development.
Wicklow County Council is trying to suggest otherwise by putting on a brave face, but it never expected such a public response. It cannot ignore the scale of the public opposition to this oversized development.
It is expected that the oral hearing on the environmental impact statement, the compulsory purchase order and the closure of rights of ways will be held at the end of March.
This association has made a substantial submission to An Bord Pleanála on many aspects of the plan - the effects on traffic, landscape, ecology and coastal protection, as well as its overall scale. We will be continuing to oppose the proposed development with the support of the majority of local people. - Yours, etc,
EVELYN CAWLEY, Greystones Protection and Development Association, Delgany, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - I was interested to read Minister for the Environment Dick Roche's explanation of his hands-off approach to the Greystones Harbour development (February 18th).
It has always been portrayed as an advantage to constituencies to have their TD appointed a Minister, but in this case we are left without the leadership of our most prominent local politician (glossy junk mail apart). If having a Minister in your constituency is not such a good thing, perhaps the constituents of East Meath should ask Bertie Ahern to give the junior ministry to Sean Haughey after all.
It appears the higher up the ladder you go, the smaller the people look down below. However, like the cows on Father Ted, we're not small, just far away.
JIM O'NEILL, Greystones, Co Wicklow.