5th November 2002

PRESS RELEASE

‘SAVE O'CONNELL STREET TREES' - GREEN PARTY

The Green Party has made a last minute bid to save the remaining trees on O'Connell Street in Dublin.

Two of the Green Party's TD's have met with the Project Team for the O'Connell Street Plan, and obtained a commitment that Dublin City Council will attempt to save the remaining mature trees.

"I am pleased with the outcome of our meeting with Anne Graham of the O'Connell Street Project Team" stated Eamon Ryan TD, "She has stated that they will try and save the remaining trees. The meeting also achieved a stay of execution for some of the finer trees opposite the Savoy Cinema that were to be have been taken down to accommodate the crane that will be used to raise the Spire later this month.

Last April the following Motion in the name of Councillor Ciarán Cuffe was moved for report by Dublin City Council:

"That the City Manager ensure that the venerable one hundred year old Plane Trees on Upper O'Connell Street that witnessed the Easter Rising in 1916 be retained as part of any plan to rejuvenate the area."

Councillor Ciarán Cuffe TD this evening called on members of the public to write to the Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay and urge him to save the remaining mature trees.

"We can achieve the aims of the O'Connell Street Plan and still retain the best of the remaining trees", stated Mr. Cuffe

ENDS

For further information contact:

Ciarán Cuffe, Dáil Candidate                        087 265 2075 or 677 3372

Stephen Rawson, Press Officer          087 235 7551 or 618 4088