Madam, - The director of An Taisce, Gavin Harte (June 22nd) responds to a report in your edition of the previous day by saying that "the Irish environment needs a strong voice to protect it for future generations".
But he deals unsatisfactorily with the criticisms of An Taisce's participation in the planning process. Your report quoted the disapproval expressed by Cllr P.J. Kelly and others that objections made by An Taisce are not disclosed to applicants for planning permission.
Thus An Taisce's "strong voice" is heard only behind closed doors, leaving the public feeling that An Taisce is whispering into the ears of planning officials. Mr Harte tells us why his organisation's prescribed status to make objections is warranted. However, he fails to justify the confidentiality of its objections.
Constitutional justice demands that all relevant information before an administrative body be brought to the attention of the person concerned: audi alteram partem. As the source of this requirement is the Constitution it cannot simply be over-ridden by statute, as Mr Harte seems to believe the planning code does. - Yours, etc,
SHANNON HAYNES, Caherlag, Glounthaune, Co Cork.