Frustration over delays on report on effectiveness of 'robot trees' in Cork city 

A CITY councillor has raised concerns about the length of time it is taking to get answers about the effectiveness of the robot trees installed in Cork city centre.

Sinn Féin councillor Eolan Ryng put forward a question at a meeting of Cork City Council last evening, asking the chief executive for a report on the effectiveness of the robot trees.

Cork city’s five urban moss walls, known as ‘robot trees’, were installed on Patrick St and the Grand Parade in 2021, promising to absorb 80% of fine dust particles from the air.

The trees are covered in special mosses that trap harmful pollutants and clear them from the atmosphere.

Update sought 

Seeking an update on the report on the effectiveness of the robot trees, Mr Ryng said Fianna Fáil councillor Colm Kelleher had last September also requested an update in relation to their effectiveness.

In response to Mr Ryng, director of services David Joyce said: “Data from the sensors on the moss walls installed on both Patrick Street and Grand Parade are being analysed at present. As soon as this analysis is complete a report will issue.”

By way of a supplementary question, Mr Ryng asked what has been the cause of the delay in publishing the report, which was due to be available to councillors by the first quarter of this year. Mr Joyce confirmed the delay in the reporting of the robot trees’ effectiveness is in relation to the collection of data.

Report due in Q1 2023

Speaking to The Echo, Mr Ryng said: “In response to a similar question, in September last year, it was stated to Council that 12 months of raw data had been collected. It was also stated that this data was to be analysed and a report would be forthcoming in Q1 2023. No report has come forward yet.

“The response I’ve received tonight indicates no further information. It appears it’s taking longer to analyse the data than the 12 month period it took to gather it.

“Commentary from certain areas has questioned the effectiveness, the value for money of the robot trees. Water and resource usage is also a concern. The length of time it’s taking for councillors and the public to get answers is a cause of concern.”