Press release May 27, 2004

GET POLITICAL AT SPEAKER’S SQUARE IN TEMPLE BAR!

On Sunday June 6 , local and European election candidates from across the political spectrum will converge on Speakers’ Square in Temple Bar to talk about their candidacy, the upcoming referendum and other issues they are passionate about.

Starting at 2.30pm and running throughout the afternoon until 6pm, this is the first time such an event has occurred in the electoral history of Ireland and is the only chance the voting public will get to hear party representatives orate, challenge and debate with other candidates in an open forum.

There are at any one time five speaking podiums on Speakers’ Square / Cearnóg na gCainteoirí, which will allow for participating candidates to be divided by their constituencies.

Speakers’ Square / Cearnóg na gCainteoirí is an initiative by Rossa Ó Snodaigh in conjunction with Temple Bar Outdoors to provide a forum for city dwellers to address the public on matters that are of concern to them.

Every week at Speakers’ Square / Cearnóg na gCainteoirí, intending speakers will write their names on the back of a chalkboard, and when their turn arises to speak, will write their issues on the front. Speakers will be encouraged to speak in any language, provided it's not foul language. The law of the land will apply as it does nationwide - In that it is an offence to incite hatred or slander anyone in public.

Speakers’ Square / Cearnóg na gCainteoirí is part of Temple Bar Outdoors: Temple Bar Properties’ year-round programme of outdoor cultural events in the public spaces and squares of Temple Bar.

For further information on Speakers’ Square / Cearnóg na gCainteoirí, please contact Rossa Ó Snodaigh at 086 8260860 / [email protected].

For media information on this or any aspect of Temple Bar Outdoors, please contact Annette Nugent/ Róisín McCarthy at Temple Bar Properties [01.6772255 / [email protected] / [email protected].

See also www.freespeech.community.ie, www.indiemedia.ie, www.templebar.ie

Those who have agreed to speak Sinn Féin

Ivana Bacik (EU) Mary Lou Mac Donald (EU) Orla Farrell (Nth Ctrl) Dathaí Doolin (Sth Est) Willie Hamilton (Nth Ctrl) Robbie Seargent (Sth Ctrl) (Nth Ctrl) Tony Smithers (Sth Ctrl) Dermot Lacey Ciarán Mac Anraí (Ctrl) Eric Burn (Sth Ctrl) Gearóid Ó Maol Mhichíl (Sth Ctrl)

P.D’s

Denis McIntyre (Nth Ctrl) Patricia McKenna (EU) John Kenny (Sth Est) Ryan Meade Tony Williams (Sth Est) Tommy Simpson

Fine Gael Socialist Party Naoise Ó Muirí (Nth Ctrl) Terry Connoly (Sth Est) Dan Sullivan (Nth Ctrl) Bríd Smith (Sth Ctrl) John Barry(Sth Est)

Independants Fianna Fáil Eoin Ryan Garry Keegan

Those who are yet to confirm Prionsias de Rossa(L) Brian Tector (FG) Niamh Cosgrave (FG) Nessa Childers(GP) Phil Kearney(GP) (FG) Mary Fitz Patrick(FF) Larry O Toole(SF) Richard Boyd Barrett(SW) ends