Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My issue is trite in light of the previous two contributions. However, I want to raise an issue and ask for the support of both the Leader and the Cathaoirleach in the matter. Heritage and Tidy Towns groups go to enormous effort to ensure the upkeep, care and love for their communities. They are to be lauded. I have a group in the Dublin South-Central constituency that works extraordinarily hard. They have applied to Dublin City Council to build a commemorative garden, which was at the great suggestion of the Cathaoirleach. They have made representations to Dublin City Council which has agreed to the replica of the 1916 Proclamation and the seven trees that represent the seven signatories. However, it will not agree to the third element, which is the flagpole, on the basis of flagpole protocol. I already got the assistance of the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, who wrote an excellent protocol surrounding everything to do with flags, which is great for the Taoiseach’s office. He very kindly shared that with me. I empowered the group with that and along with it wrote a letter to the council myself. I still have not received anything back.

Apart from standing on its own merits, these commemorative gardens are also a feature for Tidy Towns groups. There are huge community and heritage efforts and a whole community mobilised and incentivised to act, and now Dublin City Council is saying that the protocol for flags cannot be adhered to. However, it is well established by our own learned Cathaoirleach that street lighting is sufficient to ensure that the flag is illuminated 24 hours of the day. That is being sufficiently done.

I am asking for the Leader and Cathaoirleach to support me in writing to Dublin City Council in support of this group. I would be obliged if they did that. I can send them on the details.