Sir, - Regarding the OPW's proposed interpretative centre/ sewage treatment plant/coach/car parking etc. at Mullaghmore, now referred to in official speak as an innocuous "entry point" at Gortalecka: the OPW letter to Clare County Council says the entry point would be managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which was satisfied it would not have "any significant adverse impact" on the habitats in the area (Irish Times, February 27th). It is, however, on record that the National Parks and Wildlife Service stated some time ago that the Mullaghmore area should be made a nature reserve.
With this fact in mind, and in Minister Higgins's words "to help ensure continued transparency", the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, the Conservation Council, An Taisce, the Mountaineering Council of Ireland, Irish Peatland Conservation and numerous national and international experienced conservation groups and individuals are consistent in continuing to call for relocation of this "scaled down" visitor centre/ sewage treatment plant etc. away from the environmentally unique turlough area of magnificent Mullaghmore.
People are very aware that terms like "scaled down" can so easily become "scaled up" in future political bartering. Then a unique area such as Mullaghmore, once considered of such environmental importance to merit being made a nature reserve by a government body, can be officially bulldozed, despite the advice of respected conservationists and individuals who seek to protect our heritage. - Yours, etc,
Main Street, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.