A chara,
—Naturally, I believe, if we are interested in history weshould want all our new residential developments in Ireland to be givennames that relate to the history (and geography) of the various areas.While our local councils have the power to veto pretentious names, theydo not have the time to research the history of areas to come up withappropriate, relevant, names. Several councils, though, have namingcommittees made up of local historians, councillors, planning officialsand representatives of other interested organisations. They work withproperty developers to name new developments appropriately. Fingal isthe only one of the four Dublin councils that has a naming committee,and I have been in contact with many councillors from the otherthree—and indeed in other counties—about putting motions forward to setthem up throughout Dublin and further afield. Not one councillor hasresponded. I believe it will be necessary for the government to makenaming committees statutory throughout the country. In the meantime, Iurge your readers to contact their local councillors to set up thecommittees in their areas, and indeed to contact Minister John Gormleyon the issue of bringing them in on a nationwide basis.—Is mise . . .
DARREN MAC an PHRÍORA
Caisleán Cnucha
Baile Átha Cliath 15