asked the Minister for Finance whether, with a view to providing much-needed parking space for 600 motor cars, he will arrange for the removal of the stone pillars at the kerbside around St. Stephen's Green, particularly as the removal of these pillars would not, in any way, interfere with the amenities of the park.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Parking Space at St. Stephen's Green.
I am not prepared to have the pillars surrounding St. Stephen's Green removed.
It would be a very good idea if you did. I suppose that is the reason why you will not.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that a town planning commission which sat some years ago recommended that they should be moved, and that their removal would not do any harm to St. Stephen's Green?
Someone would then follow, I suppose, with a further recommendation that all the beautiful trees planted adjacent to the pillars in question should be removed, and I suppose when that had been done the removal of the lamp standards would follow.
The town planning commission which sat some years ago did not recommend that the trees should be removed, but it did recommend that the granite pillars should be removed. If they were removed accommodation would be provided for some 500 or 600 cars.
The trees are planted within two feet of the pillars in question. I know the Green as well as any other person and I cannot see what effect the removal of the pillars would have on making accommodation available for motorists.
There would be accommodation for 500 or 600 cars which could back in to the edge of the kerb without interfering in any way either with the Green itself or the trees.
It is not a matter for my office to provide accommodation for the Dublin Corporation in the matter of affording facilities for car parks.
Is it not essential that there should be co-operation between the two Departments? This is a matter that has been recommended.