asked the Minister for Finance if the proposals to restore the East Pier in Dún Laoghaire have been completed; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dún Laoghaire Amenities.
24.
Mr. Kenny
The only item outstanding is the removal of part of a dolphin now included in the contract for the provision of facilities for multipurpose ships at Dún Laoghaire and it is hoped that the work will be carried out in a few months.
In the spring?
Mr. Kenny
In a few months.
25.
asked the Minister for Finance whether the amenities of Dún Laoghaire have been diminished as a result of action by his Department.
26.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will preserve the amenity at Dún Laoghaire Harbour West Pier by the introduction of automatic railway gates; and if he will ensure that CIE will not close any part of the harbour.
Mr. Kenny
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
The Commissioners of Public Works have not taken any action resulting in the diminution of the amenities of Dún Laoghaire harbour and there is no question of CIE closing any part of the harbour. The Commissioners have no proposal to introduce automatic railway gates at the West Pier nor have they power to do so. Such gates would not be needed to preserve any existing amenity there.
I do not know why these two questions should be taken together. Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the development work being undertaken by the Office of Public Works to cater for multipurpose ships will interfere with the amenities of the harbour?
Mr. Kenny
It will not.
I hope not. Some years ago there were proposals whereby CIE would instal electrically controlled continental type gates on the railway at the West Pier. People who want to use the West Pier at the weekends often find it necessary to go about three-quarters of a mile up the road and down again if they wish to get there. I am only talking of a pedestrian gate and it is an amenity that should be provided.
Mr. Kenny
An amenity for cars?
Yes, cars and boats and other things that use the harbour —to allow them in and out without having to keep a man in attendance who could not be there all the time.
Mr. Kenny
As far as I know, existing amenities are not threatened by the absence of a gate. If you provide an automatic gate you attract vehicular traffic through those gates and in the end you would be as badly off. It is as bad to be burned as scalded.
The Parliamentary Secretary must be aware that there is a large area there suitable for car parking and that these amenities are not being fully used because this gate is closed so often.
Mr. Kenny
The provision of a gate would attract more traffic and the less traffic you have on that end of the pier the better. People can enjoy themselves by going up the road and coming down again.
But they have to get into it. Going beyond the Parliamentary Secretary's area of responsibility, as you proceed from the West Pier northwards you are coming on to sandy beaches and if those gates were automatic these amenities would be opened up both in the Parliamentary Secretary's area of responsibility and that of the Minister for Transport and Power.
Mr. Kenny
If CIE provide the gates—we have not a responsibility to provide them. It is CIE's responsibility.
Surely that is not near the pier we are talking about?
It is only a few minutes' walk.
It is away north.
We shall have to move to the next question.
Mr. Kenny
The Deputy must understand that it is the responsibility of CIE to provide gates if they so desire.
And the Office of Public Works will raise no objection?
Mr. Kenny
We might when we consider it further.