Figures and facts as opposed to inaccurate and misleading statements

28th March 2007 An Taisce’s press release with regard to an article published in the Roscommon Herald

In response to Mairead O’Shea’s article entitled ‘Councillors launch attack on An Taisce’ published in the Roscommon Herald on the 28^th March last, An Taisce would like to shed some light on the reality with regard to some of the statements and Councillors’ comments.

First and foremost, we would like to refer to the irony within the comment ‘An Taisce’s ‘unhealthy interest’; a significant proportion of An Taisce submissions are lodged due to concerns regarding health and safety risks posed to the public by inappropriate waste water treatment facilities, be it individual septic tanks or larger sewerage systems, and on grounds of road safety issues, to mention only two.

The article further states that ‘Cllr. John Cummins seemed highly critical of the fact that An Taisce had made a comment in relation to the proposed development.’ What has conveniently been omitted by the Councillors, as well as by the reporter of this debate, is the fact that An Taisce received notification of the proposed material contravention from the Planning Section of Roscommon County Council, by registered post, inviting An Taisce to make comments and to exercise our function as a prescribed body under planning legislation.

Cllr. Cummins further comments: “Why is An Taisce so interested in everything in Boyle. Every single application for the north of the county seems to attract the interest of An Taisce. If the members of it were to come to Boyle and see how close this is to the two other warehouses they would see for themselves. They seem to want to deter people in North Roscommon from doing anything.” His comments imply that An Taisce objected to the material contravention, when in fact An Taisce’s submission was NOT an objection but stated simply: ‘An assessment should be sought on traffic and community impact of proposed material contravention’. 

With regard to Cllr. Cummins’ claim that ‘every single application for the north of the county seems to attract interest of An Taisce’; we did our figures and they are as follows:

-         2547 planning applications were lodged in Co. Roscommon in 2006; An Taisce commented (as opposed to ‘objected’) on 89, a mere 3.5%.

-         In total, only twelve of these submissions were with regard to planning applications in Boyle in 2006.

-         546 planning applications have to date been lodged in Co. Roscommon in 2007; An Taisce commented on only eight of these, or 2.19%.

-         Two of these submissions were with regard to planning applications in Boyle in 2007.

These figures clarify how misjudged Cllr. Cummins’ previously stated comment in fact is.

With regard to An Taisce’s submissions on planning applications in Boyle; any observations made by An Taisce in and around Boyle are based primarily on appreciation for the special historic character and attractive quality of the town and its relation to the surrounding landscape.

We have consistently sought to promote Boyle as a heritage and cultural tourism destination, including the need for appropriately located hotels and other tourism accommodation and facilities, combined with the maintenance and enhancement of the attractive town centre, the area around the historic Boyle abbey and the Canal navigation, as well as Lough Key.

Is it surprising that people seem to have long lost faith in their local representatives?

It is about time that local representatives start taking a fact based, transparent and accurate approach when dealing with and debating issues concerning the public and their wellbeing. 

It is further disappointing that a Councillor would make opportunistic remarks that misrepresent not only An Taisce and its members, locally and nationally, but also other concerned citizens which, by trying to participate in the democratic process of decision-making, are seeking to preserve their wellbeing and the area and environment they live in.