Over 19,500 people have signed a petition to stop the sale of 5,000 acres of land in the Dublin Mountains near Glenasmole Valley.

The Green Party is calling for the land to be retained in public ownership and has presented the petition to Government officials.

Party Leader, Eamon Ryan, said he hopes to get a "positive response".

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Deputy Ryan 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/JP)