Sir, - Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, May 13th) stated "Liam Kavanagh TD actively campaigned to have an industrial estate built alongside this legendary hotel (Hunter's Hotel, Newrath, Rathnew), which would assuredly bring ruin to it" and referred in the article to other planning proposals in west Wicklow and Kildare which he disapproves of and suggests that I will be supporting them.
I welcome Mr Myers's concern for the beautiful county of Wicklow and I would like to assure him that my family and myself have represented the best interests of the county since the foundation of the State. If it were otherwise, Mr Myers would be a little late in expressing his concerns now.
The proposal for a business park - not an industrial estate - beside Hunter's Hotel has not been defeated by the Wicklow County Council. It will be considered later in the year when the County Development Plan for Ashford and Rathnew will be decided and all interests, pro and con, will, as is required by planning legislation, be heard.
As a Labour Councillor - not a TD - I make no apology to Mr Myers in my pursuit to create 3,000 jobs in the Rathnew area. I am supported in this by the IDA, Wicklow Chamber of Commerce, Rathnew Development Association, Wicklow County Development Officer as well as thousands of young people who are being educated in four second level schools in Wicklow.
On June 11th, 24 councillors will be elected to Wicklow County Council and they will make the decision about this planning application. I will be standing in that election and I will accept the democratic decision of the Wicklow people. Perhaps Mr Myers will take the opportunity to let his name go forward and be judged by the people of Wicklow too. - Yours, etc.,
Liam Kavanagh, MCC, Chairman, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow.