Irish Examiner - 04/04/05
Development proposal violates our rights

ONE has to sit back and wonder whether we live in a democracy or a dictatorship under this Government.

I refer in particular to the new proposed legislation the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, intends bringing before the house.

This new legislation effectively allows all major developments to be fast-tracked through the planning process, bypassing county councils, etc.

This is completely undemocratic. We, the ordinary people, will no longer have the right or ability to object to such proposals in the normal fashion. Our elected councillors will also be bypassed and will have no input into any major developments.

We view this action as a further erosion of our rights as free people living in a so called democratic free state. We call on all citizens and representatives to stand up and say no.

The only people to benefit from this proposed legislation will be the profit-driven developers.

This is a violation of your rights as a citizen of this State.

Larry McArthy
Chairperson
Safer Urban Rural
Environment
Drumdowney
Slieverue
Waterford