PAUL de FREINE,
A chara, - I am deeply concerned by your report (July 25th), on the appeal by the Irish Georgian Society against the decision by Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for a platform lift for wheelchair users at the entrance of the Irish Architectural Archive, on Merrion Square.
This appeal is reactionary, and takes a very limited view of what is a complex issue.
While there is clearly a need to protect our architectural and built heritage, (which the archive has been supporting for many years), this must be tempered by acceptance of fundamental principles of inclusion, equality, and universal access.
The appeal refers to the "extremely serious precedent for our historic terraced squares and streets" if permission is granted. If it is not, the precedent would be even more serious from a social point of view.
To suggest that access for people with disabilities should be at the rear of a building is generally unacceptable, and is particularly so in this case, given that numbers 44 and 45 are in the middle of the east side of Merrion Square, and the travel distances are too great.
I do not believe that the various aspirations are mutually exclusive. It is possible to make appropriate, sensitive and carefully designed interventions in historic settings. The Office of Public Works, which obtained the permission, has a proven commitment to such an approach, and a track record of achievement in this area. - Is mise,
PAUL de FREINE,
Shankill,
Co Dublin.