A Dublin entrepreneur who is behind the proposal for a "giant" moving digital statue on Dublin's docklands, has said that the city "needs something mega".
Paddy Dunning, the businessman in question, has said that the area has the potential to be one of Ireland's biggest attractions.
The planned proposal should it be backed, The Giant, would entail a human shaped figure being installed along the city's George Dock area. Measuring between 30 and 60 metres, the statue would be capable of displaying digital images across its surface.
This proposal would cost €29 million, with Dunning saying it would be funded via private investment. He would also seek public grants or funding where available.
The Council have said that it contributed towards the costs of an independent feasibility assessment which was carried out on behalf of The Giant Company, although it did not disclose how much funding it provided after being questioned.
On this, Paddy Dunning has said that he hopes city council offer its support to it.
"From my experience, 40 years in the centre of the city, it really needs something big," Dunning said adding, "it really needs something mega, and we think we've got it in the Giant Project".
The council have also pointed to its digital transformation strategy, which seeks to make Dublin a "truly digital city" by 2030. They also mentioned the Dublin City Taskforce report, which shows the need to create "compelling reasons" to visit the city.
It has also been proposed that The Giant can be used for commercial projects and advertising, while visitors will be able to project their likeness on the statue. People are to charged €25 per visit.
However, Feljin Jose, Green Party Dublin City Councillor, has said that he did not back this proposal as it seemed to be "aimed almost entirely at tourists".
He said: "I don't see how it benefits the people of Dublin," he said, "we're missing really good amenities for people in Dublin Central, and what we need in one of the last bits of public space left in the city centre is a world-class amenity for the people".
In response to this, Paddy Dunning said: "the thing will have to be viable. It can't be a drain on the services".
"So, what we want to do is - of course - make money, so it'll pay for itself, but in terms of the local community, The Giant is only part of it", he added. "We want to build a hub and a small indoor immersive space and a small venue. We want to build rehearsal studios. We want to build a place that's accessible for the local community and the inner city community in that area and the wider arts".
