Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I find it a little reassuring that we will be focusing on brownfield sites. I worry, however, about recreational land. I hear what the Minister is saying, but I have seen previous moves to change this designation. Many times these have come about via motions from councillors. This is still being done in Galway, where land is still being rezoned. This is one aspect of the matter. I think of Merlin Park Woods and the huge battle to save it. This is the equivalent of the park in New York, which started out at 800 acres. Merlin Park Wood in Galway is 150 acres and it should be used to its maximum potential for amenities.

Be that as it may, what about organisations that are not public entities, such as religious organisations or other institutions that have land? Will we ever look at this context to see what potential exists in this regard? Regarding Galway city, I worry there is no overall master plan for the common good. There is no architect and no joined-up thinking between the public land and the docks, Ceannt Station, Sandy Road and Headford Road. This is a serious concern.

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