Madam, - I am a member of the monitoring committee for the O'Connell Street integrated area plan. I represent the local community networks and local development interests.
Madam, - I am a member of the monitoring committee for the O'Connell Street integrated area plan. I represent the local community networks and local development interests.
It was I who proposed that the new installation in O'Connell Street should be called "The Spire". The intended association was with the historical church spires in Dublin city centre. This could be considered the first secular spire. I think that "Dublin's Silver Spire" has a poetic ring about it.
I am getting increasingly irritated at your publication of letters proposing the most derogatory and negative names for something that does not yet exist. Why do you feel it necessary to persist in encouraging this "smart-arsery" and cynicism?
Each time some change or improvement is proposed in this city we have to endure a clique who will want to rubbish the effort, denigrate it or claim the money could be spent elsewhere.
Of course we have to continue to tackle heroin abuse; of course housing conditions have to be improved and poverty and homelessness must be ended. But this does not mean that we should not improve the physical environment and the quality of life in the city.
The City Council should be applauded for its recent efforts in providing the civic space in Smithfield Square, the new bridges and boardwalks on the Liffey and now the regeneration of O'Connell Street.
I suggest that people wait until the "Silver Spire" is installed before rushing to judgement. If nothing else it will provide a reason in the centre of the city to gaze up at the sky. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID CONNOLLY,
Director, Dublin Inner
City Partnership,
Upper Ormond Quay,
Dublin 7.