Letter to the Editor: Home of The O’Rahilly & Council powers
Dear Editor,
Your correspondent Stephen Oliver Murray ( 9th October 2020) questioned the accuracy of my comments about the “theft of local councils powers” and the implication of same in relation to the non-protected status of 40 Herbert Park – the former home of The O’Rahilly.
My simple points was that when I was first elected a Councillor we could initiate such protected status and there would be a temporary protection pending a full analysis.
However that power has now been removed from the elected members and in between the adoption of new Development Plans the initiation of Protected status must come from the Executive. It is just one of very many powers that have been removed from democratic Local Government in recent years.
Within the powers available to me I opposed the proposed development on the site primarily because of its overbearing height and appalling design. Needless to say under the powers also granted to the Planners by the Oireachtas those views were disregarded too.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Dermot Lacey
