DAVID ROWE,
Madam, - Your edition of November 30th reported that An Taisce has strongly criticised the National Spatial Strategy, saying it appeared to be "an exercise in rhetoric with no likelihood of implementation".
I have been a loyal member of An Taisce for the past 23 years, and I have great belief in the organisation. I am perturbed, however, at the totally negative vibes that this report sends out.
Twenty years ago An Taisce was asking: How can local or regional plans be co-ordinated without a national plan? Now we have such a plan. It obviously has its faults, but at least it is something we can build on, and invoke. Its main thrust and intention is exactly what An Taisce would desire - the spread of regional development to counteract the overweening pressure of Dublin, and its commuter sprawl into the countryside. Surely we should enthusiastically, welcome this document, and then, in a constructive way, criticise, and support the pledge to have it properly implemented.
Its implementation depends on political will, both at national and local level. That is where our effort should be - not in damning the document itself. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID ROWE, Woodside Road, Dublin 18.