Council restricts a tranquil sport for ‘common good of the community’

DUN LAOGHAIRE Rathdown County Council, in its wisdom, has seen fit to propose a change in the by-laws regarding the coastline stretching from Booterstown to Bray, prohibiting “fishing for pleasure” in all but two very small areas — Bullock and Collimore harbours.

Having perused the proposed by-laws it would be easy to think one was inspecting a document in a country run by martial law and not a democratic state.

The county council states that this move is in the “interest of the common good of the local community”.

I would ask the council what dangers, environmentally or otherwise, they see in this tranquil sport?

In my extensive experience in this field, I can say that very little has changed over centuries in either fishing tackle or fishing methods, so I am interested to hear what has actually changed to warrant this seemingly ridiculous move.

The area that is designated for the ban — almost all of the coastline from Booterstown to Bray — includes some of the most popular fishing spots on the east coast’

These attract a huge number of tourists each year, not to mention family outings and the hundreds of otherwise bored teenagers who have something peaceful and constructive to do at a time when, let’s face it, there are many more unsavoury activities available to them.

Does the council really want to take that away from them and have to deal with the consequences?

So I would implore sane-minded readers to get their pens and paper out again and remind the council that this nonsense must stop.

Letters on the matter will be accepted by the council no later than September 28 and can be addressed to the senior executive officer at the council’s Department of Culture, Community Development and Amenities.

Monica Farrell

Cabinteely

Dublin 18