The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Michael Conaghan, is seeking the public's support against the city manager's plans to remove the remaining mature trees from O'Connell Street.
Mr Michael Conaghan said yesterday that he wants the trees to remain as part of the new redeveloped street, and there is still time for the public to object to their planned removal.
The Lord Mayor's views run contrary to those of the city manager, Mr John Fitzgerald, who plans to remove the London Planes, some of which are more than 100 years old.
Mr Fitzgerald said last night that he believed their removal was "a better option" for the street. The removal of the 10 trees is part of the second phase of the O'Connell Street Improvement Works, due to begin in the new year. A number of London Planes were felled two years ago to make way for the first phase, from the Spire to Abbey Street.
The plans for the second phase are open for public consultation until September 27th, and Mr Conaghan, a Labour Party council member, is urging the public to make their views known.
"There is now an opportunity for public consultation on whether to keep the remaining trees, I would hope people will participate, people can ring me and tell me what they think, if they like."
The old trees could be incorporated into the new plans, and used creatively to add to the "cafe culture" ambience envisaged for the median of the street, he said
"I don't think keeping them would jar with the principles of the plan and I'm hoping this is what the people will ask us to do."
Mr Fitzgerald said he was in favour of public consultation and would be presenting the public opinion to the council, but thought it was "unfortunate" so much emphasis was being put on the trees.
"It's a bit unfortunate that the discussion has become tied up with a small aspect of what is overall a €300 million project that will have enormous implications for the city centre."
The council plans to discuss the issue within the next two weeks.
