Other reasons for opposition to Tara

Dear sir - I noted a strange disconnection in last week's issue of the Meath Chronicle which maybe had something to do with its new format. On the one hand, the lead front page article and the editorial highlighted claims by politicians about local opposition to the landscape conservation plan for Tara Skryne regarding possible planning restrictions. On the other hand, tucked away on page 19 of the sports section of the paper is a full page explanation from Meath County Council of the proposed plan, stating that rural housing policy will remain unchanged and that some farm buildings, previously exempt from planning will now need it in the same way as everything else and that "current farming practises will not be affected." I am perplexed that no reference is made to this in the editorial, even though it offers answers to many of the concerns being raised therein. It seems that a major concern is to do with the larger than expected area for conservation. Again there is really no mystery about this. It is simply the area defined by the experts as the archaeological and historical landscape as revealed by long-time and ongoing research. There's not much point in asking the experts in any situation for their advice if their recommendation is then ignored. So maybe the "local anger" is in fact about other things. After all there was little evidence of opposition or controversy in the past year during the course of the public consultation process which seemed overall to be a positive and inclusive exercise. I wonder is it about all those people saying they don't trust Meath County Council, is it about farmers and landowners feeling badly treated by the NRA and the road building process. Is it about politicians making political capital (note the increasing 'green agenda' references)? Is it about all these things and more besides? In other words is it about the system - now shown at every level in Ireland to be deeply dysfunctional. If we're to create a positive future for ourselves, if we're to protect and enhance the riches we have in this historic county, we will all of us -people, politicians and 'the system'- need to start working together firstly to build trust. And then perhaps its time to shift our collective perception - to see that we are part of a bigger picture, that we are custodians for a time of this particular piece of the earth and that our job is to pass it on to future generations as good and ideally better than we got it. The energy currently being wasted on controversy might be better used to air the concerns reasonably and in an intelligent manner, get real clarification from 'the system' and then get on with the business of devising a workable plan that is a win-win. There is no reason why we cannot have a thriving community living and working in harmony with this world renowned ancient landscape. It can hardly be beyond our capability.