Madam, - Paul Cullen, in his report of December 4th, on submissions to the Dublin City Plan, omitted my proposal that Dublin City Council should outline its vision for Fitzwilliam Square to the public before embarking on a policy of acquiring and managing it.
Dublin City once had five major urban gardens. Today St Stephen's Green is excellently managed by the Office of Public Works which has maintained its 19th century character and permitted only the occasional well designed and well located sculptures. Of the Georgian Squares, Parnell Square is built over. Mountjoy Square is compromised by buildings.
In Merrion Square, it is my view that the very high standards adopted by the City Council to control the character of the Georgian buildings around the Square are not extended to Archbishop Ryan Park which I feel is being eroded by inappropriate works.
As regards Fitzwilliam Square, I have no objection whatsoever to the principle of public access - indeed the OPW have shown the way in their admirable opening up of Iveagh Gardens to the public whilst maintaining and enhancing their original character.
However, I would be concerned if public ownership resulted in a loss of the pristine character of the last remaining Georgian garden in the city. - Yours, etc.,
FERGAL McCABE, Summerhill Parade, Sandycove, Co Dublin.