asked the Minister for Finance if the survey of trees in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, has been undertaken; and if he will give an indication of the plans he has for planting over the next, ten, 20, 50 or 100 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Phoenix Park Development.
22.
Mr. Kenny
As I informed the Deputy on 14th January, 1975, the Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department of Lands at the request of the Commissioners of Public Works have carried out a survey of the trees in the Phoenix Park. The report on the survey is being considered by the Commissioners with a view to the preparation of a long term replanting programme. As yet, however, no definite plans for replanting have been formulated.
I have raised this with the Parliamentary Secretary before. Can he give me any indication when it might be possible to let us have a programme of replanting in the Phoenix Park?
Mr. Kenny
It is a rather complex situation. The information the Deputy is getting is taken from the Bolton Street Architectural Students' Report and they claimed that 60 per cent of the trees in the park were beyond maturity and would die within 30 to 40 years. The Commissioners of Public Works did not consider this report authoritative enough to warrant immediate action and they sought the advice of the Forest and Wildlife Service of the Department of Lands. Officers of that Department carried out a general survey of the trees in the park and their report is at present under consideration by the Commissioners so the Commissioners cannot work until they have studied this report. The general conclusion reached by those officers was that while the state of the trees does not give rise to thoughts of impending disaster, the time is opportune for planning a comprehensive replanning and maintenance programme. It is the intention of the Commissioners to appoint in the very near future an arboricultural officer who will be responsible, under the guidance of the Commissioners' landscape architect and under the general direction of the park superintendent, for the implementation of the tree planting programme. The post will be advertised in the press shortly.
23.
asked the Minister for Finance if he considers that a new lake should be formed in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, (a) by extending the dog pond (b) in the valley between the Ordnance Survey Office and the Furry Glen or (c) in the valley near Island-bridge Gate.
Mr. Kenny
The formation of new lakes as suggested by the Deputy would need the most careful consideration both from an engineering and a landscaping point of view. As I pointed out to the Deputy in reply to a somewhat similar question on the 30th January, 1975, because of more pressing commitments, I cannot say when such an investigation could be undertaken.
24.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the provision of suitable car parks in the perimeters of the Phoenix Park, Dublin, suitably screened and landscaped to minimise the intrusion of cars and thus prevent the driving of cars on the grass reserves there.
Mr. Kenny
The provision of perimeter car parks in the Phoenix Park as suggested by the Deputy is being considered by the Commissioners of Public Works as part of their overall proposals for the future use of the Park.
25.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for cleaning up and planting at Quarry Lake, Chapelizod Bridge, Phoenix Park extension and of the hawthorn wood at Parkgate Street which could be used as a sculpture garden.
Mr. Kenny
Planting is not considered necessary at the Island Pond (Quarry Lake) or the area near Parkgate Street in the Phoenix Park. Cleaning is done as required. Any decision regarding planting, cleaning, etc., in the Phoenix Park Extension will depend on overall plans for the property which are at present under consideration.
Chapelizod Bridge and the land adjoining it are not State property.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate whether there are any plans to improve the amenities in the section of the park which is not greatly used and where there were proposals to build concert halls and so on?
Mr. Kenny
We have various proposals for improving the amenities of the extension.
I am not talking about the extension, I am talking about the Parkgate Street area.
Mr. Kenny
Is this the Hawthorn Wood?
What I am trying to suggest is that this particular area of the park is used to a lesser extent by the public than the rest of the park.
Mr. Kenny
Is this the area of the park going in at Parkgate Street?
Between the Wellington Monument and Parkgate Street.
Mr. Kenny
That area is used to a very considerable extent. It cannot be interfered with because there is so much cover. The vegetation is rather thick around there and it is there for a purpose. The purpose is to hide the nursery, the manure pits and so on. Then, of course, vegetation hides many things.
True for you.
26.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the provision of a new riverside walk along the Liffey in the Phoenix Park extension, Dublin, with a pedestrian bridge linking it to the park.
Mr. Kenny
Proposals for riverside walks in the Phoenix Park Extension and for a pedestrian bridge spanning the Liffey will depend on overall plans for the property which are under consideration.
In view of the fact that the proposals I was putting forward during my period in the Office of Public Works have apparently been abandoned now, could the Parliamentary Secretary not just proceed with that small part of the development of the riverside walk?
Mr. Kenny
We are waiting for the Dublin Corporation to finalise their plans and when that is done we can then——
I am talking about Sarsfield Road, the dual carriageway.
Mr. Kenny
The river walk will be provided at some stage but we must await the finalisation of the Dublin Corporation plan.