New Dublin motto idea slammed

A NEW proposal to change Dublin city’s 400-year-old motto has been described as a

“daft idea

? by a Northside councillor.
Roughly translated the Latin motto,

‘obedientia civium urbis felicitas’, translates into

‘the citizens’ obedience is the city’s happiness.
Former lord mayor, Cllr Mary Freehill (Lab), wants Dubs to suggest new ideas and to establish a review group to consider the proposals.
However, the Southside councillor’s plan has been met with scorn from People Before Profit’s, Andrew Keegan, who admitted he didn’t even know the city had a motto.

“We’ve housing problems, homeless problems and we’ve just agreed to set up an incinerator in Ringsend against the local people’s wishes so we’ve a lot more important things to think about,

? the Ballymun councillor said.

“It’s a waste of energy. A review group would be just another talking shop.

“Labour just like to get their name in the papers. Between them all, they just seem to come up with daft ideas.

?
Cllr Freehill believes the city needs a new motto to reflect modern values and be more inclusive of all citizens.

“It’s an ideal time coming up to 2016 celebrations to find a motto that cherishes all the citizens of Dublin equally as was the aspirations in the Proclamation,

? she said.

“It would be interesting to have a discussion among school children, residents’ associations and other groups in the city about the kind of motto they want.

?
It’s not the first time Cllr Freehill has mooted the new motto idea. A proposal she put forward back in the

’90s was rejected by the council of the time.