Dublin City Council’s €144k Christmas tree bill
The Dublin City Council outlay includes €36,908 on the installation, removal, and storage of an electronic LED Christmas Tree at Smithfield.
Dublin lord mayor, Sinn Féin’s Críona Ni Dhálaigh, said yesterday the outlay on natural Christmas trees was justified “because of the Christmas cheer the trees bring and the community spirit they create”.
However, she added: “I would have concerns over the ongoing costs associated with the LED Christmas tree at Smithfield.”
A council official said the €107,700 spend involves the purchase of 41 large trees located in the city centre including O’Connell St, urban centres, and villages. The trees had ranged in height from 30ft to 45ft.
The spokeswoman said the cost also includes the purchase of 60 smaller trees that are purchased for civic buildings, libraries, and leisure centres.
In 2008, Dublin City Council paid its one third €100,000 share for the purchase of the €300,000 LED tree in an initiative also funded by the Dublin City Business Improvement District and the Dublin City Business Association. The tree, designed by French family firm Blachere which has also created the lighting for the Eiffel Tower, was originally located in O’Connell St before being moved to Smithfield.
However, the taxpayer and the Dublin rate-payer continues to pay for the installation, removal, and storage costs of the tree.
According to the council, last December it paid €36,809 to private firm 2B Light Company in respect of the tree at Smithfield.
The spokeswoman said that the firm was paid €26,961 for the installation and removal of the 18m, five-tonne, eco-friendly tree illuminated by 100,000 bulbs.
In addition, the outside firm was paid €5,500 for the storage of the tree while the total includes a 13.5% Vat component of €4,378.
“Much work has been done in Smithfield this year, particularly to the square which is now fully pedestrianised and is also home to a children’s playground,” a council spokeswoman said.
“The Christmas Tree was moved to Smithfield to increase footfall and give the area an added boost.”
Meanwhile, Ms Ní Dhálaigh said: “If you had asked me about the Christmas Tree programme spend last year, or before becoming mayor, my first thought would have been ‘is it a waste of money putting all these trees up?’ but, in my job as mayor, I have seen at first hand the sense of pride and atmosphere that the trees create.”
She said: “There is a big lead-in period in a lot of areas ahead of the trees being erected where the area is cleaned up and there is a reception afterwards for the community.
“The trees brighten up areas that can be dark and dreary at that time of year.
“There are areas of Dublin that haven’t got trees and would love to have them. There is a huge demand for the city council to have trees in all areas, but that just can’t happen, because we don’t have the money for it.”
The lord mayor added the spend on Christmas trees did not mean other services, like funding to combat homelessness, are losing out. She said: “The money would remain in the council’s community and recreation budget if it wasn’t spent on trees.”
Ms Ní Dhálaigh said she would be asking questions on the continuing cost of the LED tree at Smithfield.
She said: “We shouldn’t be paying that amount for the installation and storage of a tree. There must be a less costly way of promoting an area. An ordinary tree would do the job at Smithfield and the council should consider selling the LED tree.”
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