Sir, - The current housing situation is being used to facilitate the unnecessary rezoning for housing of some of Dublin's most important amenity lands. The untenable situation now is that Dublin - the second smallest county in Ireland - is home to virtually one-third of the country's population. Clearly, it can afford no further loss of precious amenity lands.
We endorse the sentiments expressed by Kevin Smith of the Racing Club of Ireland in his recent letter. He speaks for all who seek the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Racecourse. For almost a decade our Association has striven to maintain the amenity status of the racecourse lands and to have racing conducted there again. Throughout, we have been sustained by the many thousands who support our efforts and campaigns, constant in their belief that "the Park" will one day reopen.
On April 12th, we were present when Fingal councillors met representatives from two important sectors of the racing industry - the Racing Club of Ireland (who hosted the meeting) and a group of horse trainers, led by leading trainer Dermot Weld. The latter group, and Mr Weld in particular, expressed with sincerity and conviction their certainty that racing would resume at the Park, if the councillors held steadfast to the amenity/open space zoning. Mr Weld's outline proposals for the return of racing, combined with hotel, leisure, recreational and tourist facilities represents a unique and exciting prospect for this corner of Dublin - one compatible with the heritage and ethos of the area. Their assertions cannot be too often repeated that "all the economic, demographic and social indicators are now favourable" for this to take place.
A door-to-door canvas of residents in the vicinity of the racecourse in Autumn 1990 revealed that support for the racecourse and opposition to housing on it was in excess of 95 per cent. We believe that, in spite of interim events, most residents would still favour restoration of the racecourse. There is now an opportunity for the Fingal Councillors to fulfil these wishes and also secure the best long-term outcome for the whole area, by ensuring that the site remains as a green belt/visual break, thereby giving the racing community the opportunity they seek to reopen the track. It would be a tragic irony if the greatest obstacle to re-establishing the rightful role of these lands were those who were formerly its greatest advocates and protectors. Yours, etc.,
M. Lynch, P. Allison, J. Dillon, Phoenix Park Racecourse Preservation Association, Nth Circular Rd, Dublin 7.