JIM CONNOLLY,
Sir, - It is with real weariness that I feel it necessary to honour Frank McDonald's article in your edition of August 20th with a reply. But I must correct one glaring inaccuracy, where he writes: "And because the returns to the farmers are so significant, both the IFA and the ICMSA have rowed in behind the rural planning action groups spearheading this campaign".
Of course, both of these organisations are well capable of dealing with slurs from any source, but writing now as the founder of the Irish Dwellers Association, which is spearheading planning issues and for the first time giving a united voice to rural dwellers, I can say that I personally invited both the ICMSA and the IFA to become members of the national steering committee from the start. In both cases, contact was made at the highest level within the organisations and a number of meetings took place while decisions about joining were considered. There is also correspondence on the matter.
The national steering committee also represents many of the other large rural organisations including Comhaltas, the ICA, the Rural Doctors Association and many more.
Three county branches have already been formed in Clare, Kerry and Mayo. Sligo and Galway will follow soon. And all of this without an income from any source (other than a €10 membership fee) and within a few months of the association being launched.
Frank McDonald and An Taisce can take it that there is a huge groundswell reaction on rural housing throughout the country and that this rising tide will certainly rock a few boats. Slurs and factual inaccuracies will not deter nor diminish the resolve of the leaders of the largest rural organisations from pursuing a legitimate and constitutional path for natural justice in planning for rural dwellers. - Yours, etc.,
JIM CONNOLLY,
Acting Secretary,
Irish Rural
Dwellers' Association,
Kilrush,
Co Clare.