Madam, - Now that enlightened policy-making is ending decades of gruesome bungalow blitz in the North of Ireland, it is well past the time when the Republic must act. Our rural "planning" is a disgrace and a tragedy is unfolding. Ireland is losing its looks. The Ring of Kerry, swathes of Donegal, the Leitrim Glens are all succumbing to a concrete pox encouraged by a spineless central government and short-sighted local councils. Many visitors are already commenting on the damage - they are being short-changed having been courted with images of a pristine countryside that is ceasing to exist.
Unlike Northern Ireland, we have stepped backwards. In April, 2005 Dick Roche actually loosened the rules on rural housing/one-off housing and unleashed a catastrophic blight. This is symptomatic of a government and a minister so lacking in national pride and cultural conscience that they are also prepared to destroy the area around the Hill of Tara with a misplaced motorway.
Dick Roche will secure his place in history for his actions but he clearly does not have the moral fibre of the German general who refused orders to destroy Paris. Let us hope that the Green Party makes both these issues a deal breaker in any negotiations.
Anything less would be treason to their cause. - Yours, etc,
COLM KELLAGHAN, Beechwood Avenue Upper, Dublin 6.