Cowen hints at dilution of An Taisce’s powers

Date Published: 01-Sep-2010

The Taoiseach has hinted that he is looking at possible changes to the planning system which would treat third party objections differently to those ‘rooted in the community’. And while Mr Cowen didn’t specifically refer to An Taisce, this was a clear reference to their often-controversial role, particularly in Connemara.

He said that any changes could mean that “objections rooted in the community” could have a different status to more general types of objections or submissions.

But on the other hand, he didn’t offer any political comfort to Galway West Deputy Noel Grealish over the proposed €90 million in cuts to HSE West, saying that a coherent health strategy didn’t allow for ‘exceptions to the rule all over the place’.

Deputy Grealish has threatened to withdraw his support from the Coalition Government if the health services in his constituency are hurt by any cutbacks.

Mr Cowen was speaking to the Connacht Tribune in Ballyconneely as he ended his summer holidays in west Connemara.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.