Environment: Whatever about his charming manner, Dick Roche is a hardened veteran of the bear pit of local politics in Co Wicklow and has not been slow to speak out when he disagrees with some of the decisions made by his successors.
Mr Roche's latest salvo was directed at Cllr Fachtna Whittle, a prospective running mate for the Dáil in the next general election, in the wake of what he called a "chaotic" meeting of Wicklow County Council last July.
Mr Whittle had proposed rezoning a site at Ballyhenry, near Ashford, for commercial development on the basis that Ardmore Studios would be relocating there from Bray - a claim made on behalf of the landowners which turned out to be spurious.
Mr Roche, who assumed political responsibility for the planning system yesterday, said this and other contentious rezoning decisions made at the council's July meeting brought the process "into disrepute".
If these rezonings are confirmed by councillors after a period of public consultation, it will be interesting to see whether the new Minister will use his power under the planning Acts to set them aside - a power none of his predecessors exercised.
Mr Roche has also been critical of some of An Taisce's interventions in the planning process, even branding the trust as an unaccountable "directoire".
