Not too late to reach Dursey compromise

AMIDST the many tragedies that you report on a daily basis, your reported piece “Council bans livestock from cable car” (Oct 18) could easily be lost in its totality.

To the Dursey islanders themselves, to those of us who visit this spiritual oasis and to all Irish people and diaspora alike who read your article, the bigger picture could be lost forever also — but unlikely I suspect.

Surely the circle, between legitimate health and safety concerns and the long term sustainability of the farming and livelihood of the nine farmers of the Island, can be squared. Evidence produced in your article seems to support the case of the islanders with an unblemished safety record since 1969, but of course complacency cannot be allowed set in. Nobody wants to run any unnecessary safety risks to themselves or their animals. Your report made no reference to any consultation process or what options were considered, if any, prior to the September 1 edicts put in place by Cork County Council. Surely, it is not too late to come to a sensible compromise that will meet the legitimate concerns of all?

Paddy Creedon

Grattan Wood

Balgriffin

Dublin