Sir, – In last Saturday's Weekend Review (May 30th), two wonderful environmental writers, Michael Viney ("Why we still need Europe to stand guard over Irish nature") and Paddy Woodworth ("Heritage Council's unhappy birthday"), have produced two independent pieces of writing that are intrinsically linked.
We, collectively, are the custodians of our environment and heritage. It is up to us to ensure that it is not just there for our future generations and tourists to enjoy, but that it is also protected for the richness of Ireland’s heritage, culture and biodiversity. With this in mind, let us all hope that those EU bird and habitat directives are never given back to the governance of our politicians. As a nation, we should also be so grateful to the Heritage Council for the work it does to promote and protect our national and natural heritage. Let us also insist that, as our current crop of politicians and potential candidates calls to our doors seeking election early next year, the implementation of the EU birds and habitats directives and a strong commitment to increased funding of the Heritage Council become issues of real importance for our would-be representatives. – Yours, etc,
ERIC DEMPSEY,
Birdsireland.com,
Newcastle, Co Wicklow.