Madam, – As a resident of Sligo, I too was utterly amazed that local councillors had voted to support land rezoning to facilitate a private hospital (Fintan O’Toole, Opinion, November 24th) at a time when the local general hospital is being filleted and services closed.
Aside from the insidious growth of inequity of access to healthcare that such a proposal would bring, and as pointed out by Mr O’Toole, the county manager opposed the proposal on the grounds that the local development plan has adequate and more appropriately located zoned lands for such purposes.
So not only is this proposal not in the best interests of the local community when it comes to accessing healthcare, but it is clearly also contrary to orderly planning and development.
This must raise concerns about this proposal and serious questions need to be answered with regard to it.
Some weeks ago it was reported that Minister for the Environment John Gormley was going to crack down on inappropriate rezoning and particularly where there exists land banks already zoned to meet relevant needs as is the case here.
The Minister can intervene and demonstrate that he intends to act rather than just talk, and instruct Sligo County Council not to permit any such rezoning. Now, more than ever, people need reassurance that the bad old days are not only gone but will not be allowed to return any time soon. – Yours, etc,