Madam, - Dr David Edwards (July 15th) discloses that "the TDs of the two principal political parties" are at odds with his position on the completion of the M50 through what remains of Carrickmines Castle. Expressly on foot of this information he repudiates my suggestion (July 7th) that a free vote of the members of the Dáil would be an appropriate means of establishing and enforcing the popular will in this matter. So much for his acceptance of the democratic process.
Instead he holds out as more representative the result of some poll held on RTÉ's website - of which the great majority of the Irish people I suspect were unaware - which asked the question: "Is Irish heritage being overshadowed in the rush for development, e.g. Carrickmines Castle?"
The main subject matter of that question is clearly Irish heritage in all its great diversity and it seems extraordinary that anybody purporting to be interested in a genuine poll on that broad theme on the one hand, and on the particular issues surrounding Carrickmines Castle on the other hand, would conjoin two such distinct topics in one short question. It is also rather shocking that on the basis of answers concerning the main topic Dr Edwards feels he can draw valid conclusions regarding the respondents' views on the Castle.
No less than myself most people will share Dr Edwards's concern with the preservation of Irish heritage, not least its many historical castles. But most will also hold the view - and I am proposing that this assertion be tested in a democratic way - that what remains of Carrickmines Castle, little more than a few outlines of stone foundation and a few stone walls rising barely above ground level, fall very far short of heritage worth preserving in the face of the pressing need for the M50. This view will be reinforced by the knowledge that an exhaustive, multi-million euro archaeological excavation of the site has already been completed. - Yours, etc.,
PAUL FEIGHERY, Torquay Road, Foxrock, Dublin 18.