Council still trying to rustle up somebody to test Cork's €400k 'robotrees'

While it was hoped that those talks would have concluded in March, councillors were told the talks are ongoing and no definite timeline on what happens next can be provided.

The detail emerged in response to a question from Sinn Féin Cllr Orla O’Leary at the May meeting of council on Monday.

The moss walls or CityTree devices, developed by German-based Greencity Solutions, were bought by the city using NTA funding and installed at two city centre locations in summer 2021 as part of a post-covid ‘greening the city’ initiative.

They use moss to filter pollutants from the air, and they also serve as benches.

But critics branded them ‘robotrees’ and a complete waste of public money, which they said should have been spent on real trees.

The Irish Examiner revealed last November that a UCC study had found “no consistent evidence for improved air quality” either on the devices or “in the immediate environs” of the machines on St Patrick’s St and on the Grand Parade, and suggested extra research was required.

Despite mounting public criticism, councillors agreed last November to keep the devices and explore options. Ms O'Leary sought an update this week.

David Joyce, the director of services of the council’s roads and environment operations directorate, said the council "continues to engage with a number of third parties with a view to identifying opportunities to evaluate the performance of the moss walls in alternative indoor locations".

"The next steps to be taken will depend on the outcomes of these engagements,” he said.

Ms O'Leary described the response as “very vague” and asked him for details and a more specific timeframe. But he said because discussions are ongoing, he could not identify potential partners.

It costs €18,000 to maintain the robotrees annually.