Climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg has been formally endorsed for the Freedom of Dublin award despite critcism from some councillors.
Dublin's Lord Mayor has been accused of nominating her for 'headline fodder' and to deflect from the country's climate change efforts. Irish environmentalist Duncan Stewart has also been nominated.
Hard 2 understand the priorities of the (elected) City Council @ times - we're happy to discuss Freedom of the City for Greta Thunberg and Duncan Stewart yet we turn our face against a topical debate on "The non-collection of green waste" with clear issues to be resolved.
— @naoiseomuiri (@naoiseomuiri) June 12, 2023
Independent Cllr Mannix Flynn was among those against the nomination at the council's monthly meeting last night.
''It's an absolute disgrace that you would nominate these two individuals and speak about the environment and the disgraceful state it's in at the moment. It's filthy, dirty and manky and up to its knees in filth and dirt. And the very City Council are sitting in and refusing point blank to clean the streets
He added: ''The citizens are appalled at this decision. It's simple outrageous and greenwashing of the highest order. If it wasn't that you were leaving soon, I would ask for your resignation. Good luck.
Councillor Nial Ring was also against the nomination.
"I fully respect the right of the Lord Mayor to make a nomination for the freedom of the city. However, in this case the nomination is, in my opinion, coming from the Green Party hierarchy rather from Lord Mayor Conroy herself.
It is, in my opinion, no coincidence that the nomination of Greta Thunberg comes a few days after the Government was slammed by the EPA for our well below par efforts in decarbonisation across all sectors
In the cold light of day, I believe Greta will reflect on this nomination and the fact that she is being used as headline fodder.''
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