From: "William
Finnerty" <wfinnerty@eircom.net>
To: "Minister for Local Government & Environment
(Mr Noel Dempsey T.D.)" <noelmin@eircom.net>
Cc:
"President Mary McAleese" <webmaster@aras.irlgov.ie>,
"Prime Minister Bertie Ahern" <taoiseach@taoiseach.irlgov.ie>,
"Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney" <info@maryharney.ie>,
"Minister Noel Dempsey" <minister@environ.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister John O'Donoghue" <info@justice.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Sile de Valera" <webmaster@ealga.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Micheal Martin" <webmaster@health.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Joe Walsh" <information@daff.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Mary O'Rourke" <webmaster@tec.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Charlie McCreevy" <webmaster@finance.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Dermot Ahern" <webweaver@welfare.eirmail400.ie>,
"Minister Brian Cowen" <library1@iveagh.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Michael Woods" <webmaster@educ.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister James McDaid" <web_master@tourism-sport.irlgov.ie>,
"Minister Michael Smith" <defence@iol.ie>,
"Minister Frank Fahey" <press_office@marine.irlgov.ie>
Sent: 30 November 2000 11:11
Subject:
PROTECTED MONUMENTS, GALWAY / CONNACHT SUPERDUMP PLANS, & THE
WRITTEN CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.
Dear Minister Dempsey,
I hope to hear from you within the coming 14 days regarding answers to the
three questions I raised in paragraph 5 of my letter of October 26th 2000 to
Prime Minister Ahern - in connection with the destruction of a local protected monument
(referred to as "Site 93"). In a letter to me dated November 2nd 2000,
Prime Minister Ahern's Office has indicated that you would be replying to me. (Copies of
both these letters can now be seen at the web site address given at the end of this
Email.)
The complete destruction of Site 93 in New Inn, and the serious damage
caused to the Cairn at Alloon, were both caused by Galway County Council apparently; and such activities seem
(to me) to be completely at variance with the principles set out in Item 1 of
Article 28a of the Constitution - which states: "The State
recognises the role of local government in providing a forum for the democratic
representation of local communities, in exercising and performing at local level powers
and functions conferred by law and in promoting by its initiatives the interests of such
communities."
As I trust you will understand, I find it difficult to believe that Local
Government (in the form of Galway County Council) was "performing at local
level powers and functions conferred by law" when it destroyed the
Children's Burial Ground in New Inn (i.e. Site 93): which was clearly listed as a
protected monument - and located just a few yards from the main ridge of the prehistoric
Esker Riada roadway.
With reference to Site 93, and to the related activities of Galway County
Council, I would also wish to draw your attention to Item 2 of Article 28a of the
Constitution which states: "There shall be such directly elected local
authorities as may be determined by law and their powers and functions shall, subject to
the provisions of this Constitution, be so determined and shall be exercised and performed
in accordance with law."
On account of the difficulties expressed above regarding what appears to
be a great lack of respect for the Constitution by Galway County Council, I am copying
this Email to all 15 members of the present Government; and I am also copying it to
President Mary McAleese because, as I understand it, the President is (in effect) the
overall guardian of the written Constitution of the Republic of Ireland.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding the above matters.
Yours sincerely,
Mr. William Finnerty.
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Email: wfinnerty@eircom.net
Web site: http://homepage.eircom.net/~williamfinnerty/
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