Madam, - Reading through the various elements of the new National Development Plan (NDP) I am reminded of the words of a song: "It's too late to get ready for the past". This proposed €184 billion plan might have been appropriate in the 1960s when carbon footprints, food miles and climate change were unheard of and oil was abundant and very cheap. That world is gone.
The two major challenges facing everyone, and every institution, in the 21st century are "peak oil" and climate change. If we wish to build a truly sustainable society every decision we make should be scrutinised from the perspective of both problems.
On January 10th, a report from the EU Commission predicted that climate change will have a hugely negative impact on eco-systems and habitats in Europe (the richest continent in the world), especially if the global temperature increases by more than 20 Celsius. Was that data and the Stern Report factored into the process that shaped the NDP? Or is economic growth still the only game in town?
Proceeding full throttle with the plan will make Ireland much more carbon-dependent and increase dramatically our carbon footprints. This is hardly the world we wish to bequeath to future generations. - Yours, etc,
Fr SEÁN McDONAGH, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath.
Madam, - The Government's National Development Plan is quite clearly a pitch for votes in the coming election.
If a new government is formed after the election in May or June, the entire plan could be scrapped. The present coalition would then have spent countless thousands of euro in taxpayers' money formulating a glitzy presentation which would never be implemented. If the Government was really concerned about long-term infrastructural planning it would have waited until after the election.
Instead, under the auspices of Government policy, and at considerable cost to the taxpayer, the Fianna Fáil/PD coalition has published its programme for re-election. National Development Plan? National Election Plan, more like. - Yours, etc,
PHILIP RYAN, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Madam, - If predictions about oil reserves and global warming are correct, a wise government would surely invest in massive improvements in house insulation rather than emphasising road construction. - Yours, etc,
HUGH LEE, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow.