Sir, – I refer to Fintan O'Toole's "Tyrellstown evictions show the nakedness of our democracy" (Opinion & Analysis, March 22nd). Your columnist makes a basic error by mixing up the Boland's Mill site that is currently being redeveloped by the receiver with an entirely different Boland's Mill site that was occupied during the 1916 Rising. In fact, the actual 1916 Boland's Mill was located at the site of what is now Treasury Building, where Nama is based.
Surprisingly the errors in the column are not limited to that point alone. It says the redevelopment of Boland’s Mill “is being done by a public agency on behalf of the citizens . . . yet those citizens are locked out of the process”.
Every citizen had the opportunity to influence the design of the Dublin Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) planning scheme before it was established, through public consultation exercises conducted separately by Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála.
The influence of citizens on the process was further enhanced by the democratically elected members of Dublin City Council, who adopted the SDZ draft plan before it was reviewed and approved by An Bord Pleanála.
The Boland’s Mill/Quay site is being redeveloped in full accordance with the democratic planning process and all applicable planning legislation.
The facts are that when completed, it will transform the existing Boland’s Mill\Quay derelict site into one with fully refurbished protected buildings, a new public square, significant employment space, new residential development and new retail and cultural buildings. I would suggest that this revitalisation should be a matter of pride in this centenary year, rather than leaving the current site in its present sorry state.– Yours, etc,
MARTIN WHELAN,
Head of Public Affairs,
National Asset
Management Agency,
Treasury Building,
Grand Canal Street Lower,
Dublin 2.