Approximately 19,500 people have signed a petition calling for the 5,000 acres of land in the Dublin Mountains to be retained in public ownership rather than being sold off by NAMA to the private sector.

Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan TD presented the petition to Ministers Michael Noonan, Paschal Donohoe and Michael Ring.

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He said: "I raised this issue with Minister Michael Ring in the Dáil last week, and he was supportive of the idea. He expressed his hope that a deal could be done between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and NAMA, who are charged with managing the loans, which are secured by the title to this land. We hope to hear back from the Ministers with a positive response. Retaining this land would be a significant national as well as local development, which we believe has widespread public support. We look forward to the Government's reply."

(CD/MH)