Save the Christmas Crib for children – Fine Gael Cllrs & Minister

Fine Gael councillors and the Office of Public Works Minister are working to reverse the Grinch like decision to cancel the live animal Nativity crib in the capital this Christmas.

Cllr James Geoghegan, along with Fine Gael colleagues, will put forward a motion for next month’s council meeting that the crib, which has been outside the Mansion House on Dawson Street since 1995, is to be located elsewhere in the capital.

And Fine Gael Minister Patrick O’Donovan said he will be working with the IFA on a new location for the crib which attracts thousands of children and their families every Christmas in Dublin.

“Children suffered enough over the last two years having to live with Covid and wondering would Santa and Rudolph manage to get to their homes with lockdowns and restrictions. Let them enjoy this Christmas,” the Minister said.

“Let’s have a Nativity crib in the capital city for all children to visit. There cannot be a scrooge like agenda from any council for children at Christmas time.

“I’ll be working with my Fine Gael colleagues and all councillors on Dublin City Council to save the crib.

“They’re banning donkeys and sheep from outside the Mansion House but there simply has to be room elsewhere for them this Christmas,” Minister O’Donovan said.

Cllr James Geoghegan, Fine Gael’s group leader on Dublin City Council, said they will be submitting an emergency motion to the local authority to overturn the decision at their November 7^th meeting.

“Not even the Grinch would ban this loved Christmas tradition. We have to overturn this and look for a new location – perhaps St Stephen’s Green. We know times are tough so we want to ensure children and their families have a Christmas crib to visit in Dublin,” Cllr Geoghegan said.

“The Lord Mayor of Dublin has decided after 27 years to cancel the live animal crib outside Dublin’s Mansion House. Fine Gael councillors will submit an emergency motion to force a U-turn on this decision.

“There has been no public debate on this issue whatsoever and it is not appropriate that this decision was taken by the Lord Mayor behind a closed-door meeting of councillors.

“The next Dublin City Council meeting is on the 7^th of November, and we will be submitting an emergency motion to overturn this decision.

“We are calling on the Lord Mayor to allow preparations for the live crib to continue until all elected members of Dublin City Council have had their say.

“I have contacted Minister O’Donovan to see what could be facilitated and we will be working together to save the Nativity crib. St Stephen’s Green, if possible, would be a fine location,” Cllr Geoghegan said.