Madam, - The feature entitled "Tara: re-routing the debate" ( Weekend Review, July 28th) failed to illuminate where the debate should be leading and is in fact clearly headed for a cul-de-sac - a false dichotomy between those advocating "development" and those defending "heritage".
At this stage the debate needs to move swiftly to a discussion of the affair's implications for democracy, and the Government's flouting of EU environmental law.
It is obvious that the debate about the proposed motorway has been won by those who advocate re-routing the road. The public sees this as the most sensible and consensus-building option. That the Government continues to try to force the road through the valley against the wishes of a majority of the people is due to the absence of any true accountability in our political system.
There is also clearly a macro-economic agenda at play. Recent statistics showing a sharp downturn in residential construction activity had been forecast but played down for years and it is clear that the absorption of many workers into motorway projects is part of the Government's plan for a "soft landing". That an unsustainably high dependence on one sector of the economy is now to be seamlessly replaced by an even more unsustainable and environmentally destructive motorway-building programme demonstrates the lack of vision in our political system.
In relation to the flouting of EU law the need for an open debate is even more urgent. That the Government can go to Brussels, stand straight-faced before our neighbours and friends and say that Ireland will pay any fines necessary for breaching EU law in regard to the proposed M3 is a national disgrace.
Like any member-state, Ireland should respect EU law. After all, what is the point of the EU's existence at all if individual states simply cherry-pick directives to suit their own convenience? How can we maintain any kind of consistency, logic or moral standing in complaining about the UK's flouting of environmental law regarding Sellafield, or Spanish over-fishing in Irish waters? We are all diminished by this whole affair, and the wishes of both the Irish people and the dictates of the EU are being disregarded. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CANNEY, Queen Street, Dublin 7.
Madam, - I admire the devotion of the 25,000 who made the pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick last Sunday and have no difficulty in believing that "God is a Mayo man" (although not in the All-Ireland final against Kerry last year). But God also needs to be a Meath man (or Meath woman).
We have an urgent need of a pilgrimage to the Hill of Tara. - Yours, etc,
GERALD MORGAN, Trinity College, Dublin 2.