Does project already have seal of approval?

ON December 15 last we read in the Irish Examiner that Trade and Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin had launched the Kinsale harbour resort project incorporating hundreds of houses, a five-star hotel, an equestrian centre, a golf course and clubhouse.

The plans for this scheme were not available to the public at the planning office until next day, December 16.

In Limerick, plans to redevelop the old racecourse were reported on December 24. Planning applications for this development were lodged on the previous Friday, December 17.

Both these projects are privately commissioned, multi-million euro schemes promising jobs, etc, to the people of these localities.

Yet one was launched by a Government minister before planning was available for inspection and the other was not.

While recognising that the minister cannot attend the launch of every new project, how are we as ordinary citizens to interpret his attendance at, and endorsement of, this plan in Kinsale?

Is this scheme already a fait accompli, or does the planning process have any real meaning or value?

Why should a minister associate himself with a private development before planning was available for scrutiny by people living in the locality, unless he presumed planning approval as a matter of course? Does the presence of a minister confer the Government's imprimatur on a project?

George Harding

Ballymaccus

Kinsale

Co Cork