MEDIA RELEASE FROM "SAVE FAIRVIEW TREES" CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN DELIGHTED THAT TREES WILL BE SAVED BUT OVERALL SCHEME STILL HAS TO BE EVALUATED AND AGREED The "Save Fairview Trees" campaign, a campaign which drew support from over 15,000 people who signed the online and local petitions, a campaign which was also supported by the local businesses, the cyclist lobby groups, some local politicians and above all, the combined residents of Fairview, Marino, Clontarf, Ballybough, North strand and Clontarf is delighted with the news that Dublin city Council has now proposed an amendment to the proposed Clontarf to City Centre Route Part 8 Proposal, a proposal which includes the retention of over 90% of the trees which it was originally proposed to remove under the Part 8 proposal. Speaking about the new proposal, Edel Leahy, Marino resident and instigator of the on line petition said "I am delighted that our sole objective of saving the Fairview Trees has been achieved. The residents of the local area and wider public who supported our campaign deserve great credit. It shows that "people power" can work when a serious wrong is being proposed. We also wish to thank the media who did so much to highlight our campaign". Ballybough based local Councillor Nial Ring said that "Dublin City Council has listened to the people and realised that no local councillor was going to support the destruction of such historically significant trees". "The officials have now to go back to the drawing board and present a plan that will be accepted by all interest groups. The safety of cyclists, the retention of the facilities in Fairview Park for the local community and ensuring that whatever plan is agreed will not impact on local businesses must be the criteria for any new Part 8 proposal" he added. Fairview based Local Councillor Damian O'Farrell said that "the saving of the trees is most welcome and now we must examine the new proposal in its entirety to ensure that the best solution for everyone is achieved". "I would like to thank Edel and Donna for their tremendous work in getting the campaign up and running and proving that people will stand up for what is right for our community and the environment" he added "Local businesses immediately came out against the destruction of the trees and the fact that Dublin City Council has backtracked on this is most welcome" said local businessman Damian Duggan of Duggan's Jewellers. "The new plan must also make sure that local businesses are not negatively affected by the removal of parking spaces and we will welcome the opportunity to have input on the new proposal" he added. Local Green party representative Donna Cooney, who first flagged the tree removal proposal six months ago and who highlighted the issue at every opportunity since, said that "the decision of Dublin City Council is most welcome. The trees have been saved. Now we can move forward in a constructive way and Fairview park and it's trees can continue to be appreciated by the local and broader communities" MEDIA RELEASE ENDS: CONTACTS: Edel Leahy 087 747 2893 Nial Ring 087 2489 372 Damien O'Farrell 086 214 8177 Damian Duggan 086 807 5962 Donna Cooney 083 331 7190