GREEN PARTY PRESS RELEASE

Wicklow Greens view proposed bye-laws as draconian !

The Wicklow Greens have recently announced their opposition to the draft bye-laws which have been produced by Wicklow County Council. The draft bye-laws propose to introduce measures to restrict various leisure activities on beaches in County Wicklow.<p>

Councillor Deirdre de Burca has been critical of these bye laws. " I believe that they are extremely undemocratic and are far too heavy- handed in trying to address the occasional public order or pollution problems which are experienced on beaches in the county,"she says.<p>

According to Councillor de Burca, she has been contacted by a large number of angling clubs who are outraged at the provisions of the proposed bye-laws, particularly in relation to angling. " In my experience anglers are to the fore in promoting conservation and respect for natural amenities" says Deirdre de Burca. "Their outrage at the implications which these proposed bye-laws will have for their activities is very understandable".<p>

Councillor de Burca believes that these draft bye-laws have been produced without adequate consultation. She is a member of the Water and Environmental Services Strategic Policy Committee of Wicklow County Council which has a responsibility to develop policy in this area. "There was little if any discussion by the Strategic Policy Committee of these draft bye-laws before they were adopted. I will certainly be putting forward significant amendments to these bye-laws before they are finally adopted" she says.<p>

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450.