Madam, - So now we know, courtesy of Terence Reeves-Smyth (December 29th) that even if Dublin City Council sought the transfer of Fitzwilliam Square Park to the people of Dublin, the good old Earl of Pembroke would not so approve and the park would remain closed to the wider public.
We know too, courtesy of Mr Reeves-Smyth, that Fitzwilliam Square Park is an "exceptional surviving garden". Unfortunately the rest of the citizens, as well as visitors to Dublin, continue to be excluded from knowing this or enjoying this facility right in the heart of the city. We know too that it will remain that way as long as the present ownership and management structure remains. That is why they must be changed.
The dismissive and unfair, never mind inaccurate, comments about Dublin City Council's superb parks department are beyond contempt. However, the invocation of the anachronistic powers of the Earl of Pembroke to justify the anachronistic closure of the park to the people of Dublin simply brings irony and contempt to new levels.
Later this month I will be proposing that Dublin City Council continue to include in its development plan the opening of Fitzwilliam Square Park to the public. Its continued restrictive use is outdated, wrong and should be reversed - whether Mr McCabe (December 14th), Mr Reeves-Smyth or, God help us, the Earl of Pembroke likes it or not. I would welcome any support readers may be able to give on this issue. - Yours, etc.,
Cllr DERMOT LACEY, (Labour Party, Pembroke Ward), Beech Hill Drive, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.