Dear Editor,

Paul Mallee, President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, (letters 16thSeptember) is correct to say that we need a system that would see an integrated Dublin Transport Plan determined fairly and speedily rather than the current ad-hoc, project by project basis. Surely that is the purpose of the proposed office of Mayor for Dublin. Rather than a superficial debate on celebrity candidates etc we should be debating and determining speedily the functions and roles of that office  so that the work can be done and the decisions made.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey

Letters Page,

The Sunday Business Post.

Dear Editor,

What a pity that Jennifer O’Connell (SPB 18th October) should reduce a reasonably balanced piece about the need for good planning to a typically mean-spirited attack on those living in Council housing.

Thanks to the foresight of my predecessors as Dublin City Councillors my parents had the opportunity to secure a Council house and myself and my brothers and sisters a family home. That was more than fifty years ago. I don’t think that, we as a family have wreaked havoc on the area since. When I married myself and my wife, bought a house built by Dublin Corporation in, at that time, primarily a Council housing estate. Over the half century since the estate was built it has been a good place to raise many families and it is a good place to raise my children. The only other house I have lived in was The Mansion House in Dawson Street – surely one of the best Council provided homes in the country.

Yes, we need good planning and yes we need to provide a good mixture of housing types. Perhaps also we need to revert to an Ireland that saw housing as a human need rather than an investment opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey

Madam, – As we begin the final stages of the local and European elections campaign it might be worthwhile reflecting on how politics and these elections are covered in the media.

Unfortunately, political integrity and commitment are often presented as if they only occur at the extremes. Views from the extremes or the margins are often presented as if the holders of those views are more committed, more honourable or more passionate in the pursuit of their cause than those who are more balanced in their approach.

In short, the media should stop confusing a reasonable balanced approach, with that of “bending the knee” or less than wholehearted commitment.

The reality is that it is very often the politics of hope – whether that be the centre left or, even God help us, occasionally the centre right – that offers solutions to the problems facing our society. Those of us committed to consensus or balanced politics are as passionate and committed to that political approach as the extremes are to theirs. The difference being that balanced advocates try to find solutions, the extremes just try to find scapegoats.

Perhaps therefore, over the coming weeks The Irish Timesmight lead the way in shifting political reporting and commentary away from the “show-business approach” so beloved by the public broadcasting service, RTÉ and some other media outlets.

Perhaps too, political reporting will no longer be based on whose son, daughter, cousin, nephew or niece will inherit the family seat, but rather on the policies and ideas promoted. It will make a nice change and it might even give our country and counties, politics and politicians that deliver. – Yours, etc,

Cllr DERMOT LACEY

Dear Editor,

I have been reluctant to respond to the naïve, cheap and silly letters regarding the rejection by An Bord Pleanala of the proposals for the Jury’s/Berkeley Court sites.
The number of references to “well heeled residents” and “leafy suburbs” became boring after a while.

However the comments from Charles Mooney (letters 9th February) went beyond those petty remarks. As the only City Councillor elected for the area and still on the Council I made no “triumphant comments” regarding the decision. I welcomed it as the right planning decision and immediately confirmed my willingness, indeed my commitment, to sitting down and working with all the various interests to see if progress could be made.

An Bord Pleanala refused permission because the application was inconsistent with the City Development Plan. That is the point I and others have repeatedly made over the last few years. If change is needed to that plan it can be done through the normal democratic process. Many of my neighbours and constituents work, or more accurately did work in the construction sector. To suggest complacency on my part about their livelihoods and their futures is unacceptable.

I want to see opportunities for development, employment and economic growth, increase in our City. A transparent, accountable agreed, Planning framework is essential to that. The decision by An Bord Pleanala helped give us such clarity and the people who voluntarily spent their time and money to achieve that for the benefit of the people of Dublin should be applauded and not demonized.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey

Green Party T.D., Ciaran Cuffe, (Irish Times Opinion 22nd January) wrote about the need for Dublin Bus reform at the same time as the Government he supports is rowing back on the need for a relevant and focused Dublin Transport Authority. Last year, the Minister for Transport, eventually, pushed through legislation establishing such an Authority. Yet, we learned recently (Irish Times 14th January) that before it is even established the DTA is going to be subsumed into a new National Transport Authority and the Dublin regional focus is to be abandoned. Such a move would be a disaster.

For many years, along with others, I had advocated such an Authority with a powerful and integrated mandate. Despite reservations, I welcomed the commitment in the Fianna Fail/Green Programme that such an Authority with the necessary powers would be established.

Dublin needs a Dublin Transportation Authority. A reduced focus would be a major blow to the proper development of the Greater Dublin Area. It would also represent a major defeat of, or a betrayal by, the Green Party, of their supposed commitment to real integrated Planning and Transport. Quite simply it would be better to have no Transport Authority than for the travesty of proposals that are now emerging from the Department and Minister to come about. Shamefully, the new proposals still leaves all power in the hands of those responsible for the current mess, provides for no democratic accountability and flies in the face of everything that Dublin needs.

The pretence that the Authority will be accountable to the Oireachtas is perhaps the most cynical claim of all. “Transport for London” works because it has a democratic mandate to make the tough decisions and is not beholden to vested interests. Londoners accept tough decisions because they determine who will lead and control TfL. The proposed Transport Authority – whether its title is National or Dublin will have no such mandate. Contrary to the Ministers assertion it will indeed be a “HSE on Wheels”.

If Minister Dempsey is committed to genuine reform – and I used to believe he was – he must show a real willingness to amend his proposals. I want the people of Dublin to have the confidence that the decisions of the Transport Authority are taken in the interests of the people and County and not those who have for so long blocked reform, blocked accountability and blocked progress. The alternative is we create a HSE for Transport and we have all seen where that leads us.

Yours sincerely,
Councillor Dermot Lacey

Dear Editor,

Two articles last week – one by Eilis O’Hanlon, the other by Eoghan Harris made me reflect about the need for more thoughtful, intelligent and balanced politics in Ireland.

As we begin a New Year, a year that will see Local and European Elections, another Referendum on Lisbon and perhaps, even a General Election, it might be also worthwhile reflecting on how Politics in Ireland is covered in the media.

Unfortunately, Political integrity and commitment are often presented as if they only occur at the extremes. Whether it be Joe Higgins from the illusionary and antiquarian far Left, Declan Ganley from the delusionary and somewhat obscure far Right or Danny, Michael or Jackie Healy-Rae from the distant but beautifull far South, views from the extremes or the margins are often presented as if the holders of those views are more committed, more honourable or more passionate in the pursuit of their cause than those who are more balanced in their approach. In short, the media should stop confusing a reasonable balanced approach, with that of “bending the knee” or less than fulsome commitment.

The reality is that it is very often the politics of hope – whether that be the Centre Left or, even God help us, occasionally the Centre Right – that offers solutions to the problems facing our Society. Those of us committed to consensus or balanced politics are as passionate and committed to that political approach as the extremes are to theirs. The difference being, that balanced advocates try to find solutions, the extremes just try to find scapegoats.

Perhaps therefore, in the course of 2009, The Sunday Independent might lead the way in shifting political reporting and commentary away from the “Show Business approach” so beloved by the Public Broadcasting Service (sic) RTE and some other media outlets. Perhaps too, this year, political reporting will no longer be based on whose Son, Daughter, Cousin, Nephew or Niece will inherit the family seat, but rather on the policies and ideas promoted. It will make a nice change and it might even give our Country and Counties, Politics and Politicians that deliver.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Dermot Lacey

Dear Editor,

The article High Time for high-rise (Stephen Price, Agenda 11th January) more than anything highlighted the need for The Sunday Business Post to employ a Local Government Correspondent.

Now, I will leave it to others to defend “greedy builders” – I have no intention of doing so. I do believe however that in general the role of Councillors in the planning process has been seriously misrepresented in the media. Sadly, the emphasis has been on the few, who have facilitated shoddy development, rather than the majority of us who have tried to ensure good planning and sustainable development.

So, before The Sunday Business Post covers the issue of Planning in Dublin again it might bear in mind some facts. In my own area of Pembroke -Rathmines it was Councillors who successfully blocked the building of 110 apartments on a floodplain at Milltown when disgracefully the much lauded Planners justified it.

When the officials persisted and granted permission it was this Councillor, at considerable financial cost, who appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanala and have that permission reversed.

Similarly, in order to protect the few remaining green spaces in our City it was Councillors who persisted in introducing the new Z15 category zoning to protect over development of Institutional lands.

It was Councillors who amended the City Development Plan so that the flexibility previously allowing some limited residential development on Green spaces was removed following the elastic interpretation of that provision by the officials.

In recent months it has been Councillors who have persisted in defending the integrity of the City Development Plan when the officials used every trick in the book to facilitate over development in the Ballsbridge area.

I look forward to being “held to account” at the next Local Elections. Contrary to the notion asserted by Stephen Price I will not in the future, as I have not in the past, act in an “election fearing manner”. I hope that The Sunday Business Post will cover those elections in a serious and informed manner.
Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey

(Published 22nd December 2008)

Madam, – In recent days we have been constantly lectured by Sinn Féin that, in relation to the Lisbon Treaty, the people have spoken and the outcome of that one previous referendum must be respected.

It is a pity that those same paragons of democracy could not – or, more accurately, would not – accept the outcome of every single general election and referendum in this Republic since the Anglo-Irish Treaty was endorsed by the Irish people through Dáil Éireann in 1922. Many thousands of lives could have been saved and billions of euro spent on legitimately fighting terrorism could have been spent on providing proper public services.

As someone involved in democratic politics for many years, I have won and lost battles. When I lose the battle for something that I believe is right I get back up and fight for it all over again. If, following the next referendum and subsequent negotiations we get a better result for Ireland, it is worth fighting for again.

Message to Sinn Féin and their extraordinary allies in Cóir and Libertas: that is called democracy. – Yours, etc,

Cllr DERMOT LACEY

The Editor,
The Irish Times.

Dear Editor,
In the course of his speech launching the so called Public Sector Reform Programme the Taoiseach said  “We believe that the local government system is ideally placed to take a lead role in driving integration at local level.  Local councils can also play a stronger role in democratic accountability for how these services are provided at local level, even when they are part of a national system”.

I really want to agree with him and endorse his comments. However the truth is that virtually every action of the last three Governments of which was a Senior member has acted directly opposite to this. Why on earth should I or anyone else believe him now?

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Dermot Lacey

Madam, – Your Editorial “Planning laws and best practice” (November 7th) displayed as balanced an approach to planning and the role of councillors that I have seen in a long time.

I will leave it to others to defend those “greedy builders”; I have no intention of doing so. I do believe, however, that in general the role of councillors in the planning process has been seriously misrepresented in the media with an emphasis on the few who have facilitated shoddy development rather than the majority of us who have tried to ensure good planning and sustainable development.

So, before The Irish Times reports more instances of councillors losing powers it might bear in mind some facts. In my own area of Pembroke-Rathmines it was councillors who successfully blocked the building of 110 apartments on a flood plain at Milltown after officials approved it.

When the officials persisted and granted permission, it was a councillor who appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála, at considerable financial cost, and had that permission reversed.

Similarly, in order to protect the few remaining green spaces in our City it was councillors who persisted in introducing the new Z15 category zoning to prevent over-development of institutional lands.

It was councillors who amended the city development plan so that the flexibility previously allowing some limited residential development on green spaces was removed. In recent months it has been councillors who have persisted in defending the integrity of the plan when officials have tried to allow over-development in the Ballsbridge area. I share your view that An Bord Pleanáa itself will be tested on all these matters when it comes to making a decision on the Jury’s/Berkeley Court appeal.

I look forward to being “held to account” at the next local elections and I hope The Irish Timeswill cover those elections in a serious and informed manner. – Yours, etc,

Cllr DERMOT LACEY,
Beech Hill Drive,
Donnybrook,
Dublin 4