Prince Albert statue to stay on grounds of Leinster House

Petitions Committee said petition seeking its removal was inadmissible

A statue of Prince Albert on the grounds of Leinster House will not be removed.

The Oireachtas Petitions Committee said on Wednesday a petition seeking its removal by a member of the public was inadmissible and the statue will remain.

The statue has resided on the Merrion Street side of Leinster House since 1923.

Chairman of the committee Seán Sherlock had said on Tuesday the petitioner was seeking its removal based on the fact that it represents British rule over Ireland.

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"The statue was the work of notable Irish sculptor John Henry Foley, his other famous works in Ireland include the statue of Daniel O' Connell on O'Connell Street and Edmund Burke outside Trinity College. Its partner statue, that of Queen Victoria herself, was gifted to the city of Sydney, Australia in 1987."

The Government completed the restoration of the Prince Albert statue in 2004 but its retention has been met with criticism throughout the years.