asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken over the past two years to conserve the amenities in Phoenix Park; the extent of new tree plantings; and, particularly, the measures taken to conserve and develop the wild life of the park.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Phoenix Park (Dublin) Amenities.
12.
The amenities of Phoenix Park are many and varied and afford a wide range of opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation. The conservation of these amenities is a matter of constant concern for the Commissioners of Public Works in whom the management of the park is vested.
Over the past two years certain features have been receiving special attention.
Despite regular maintenance, the surface of many of the playing pitches has deteriorated seriously in recent years. Some of these pitches have been fenced off, rotavated and reseeded. When these are returned to use further pitches will be dealt with in the same way over the coming years.
The herd of fallow deer is one of the principal attractions of Phoenix Park. The size of the herd was reduced to about 60 animals during the war years but has been increasing steadily since then. It has been decided to maintain the herd at around 300 which is considered an appropriate size having regard to the area of Phoenix Park. To achieve this target a number of deer have been removed from the herd within the past two years.
Apart from the open parkland, the trees of Phoenix Park are perhaps its most important visual feature. While no new trees have been planted during the past two years the park woodlands have been comprehensively surveyed by park personnel and a long-term planting programme is now being prepared with the guidance of a landscape consultant. The first stage of this programme will be undertaken later this year when a collection of native tree species will be planted in a special enclosure near the Furry Glen. An arboricultural supervisor has been appointed to supervise the planting programme and to undertake the care of existing trees which will include tree surgery where appropriate.
To help the public understand, appreciate and respect the natural resources of the park plans have been drawn up for the construction of a small nature centre near the Knockmaroon Gate adjacent to the Furry Glen. The building should be ready in twelve months' time and I hope it will be widely used especially by school groups. A wildlife warden will be available to assist visitors to the centre.
The principal interference with park amenities arises from the ever-increasing volume of car traffic using the park. I will deal in detail with this matter in my reply to Question No. 14 on today's Order Paper.
13.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the prevalence of car parking in Phoenix Park during race meetings; and if, in view of the danger thus constituted to the public and the damage caused to the grassland, he will take steps to have this practice prohibited.
It has been the practice for over 50 years to provide a car park in Phoenix Park inside the Ashtown Gate on days on which race meetings are held in Phoenix Park Racecourse in order to assist the Garda with traffic problems in the area. A charge of 50 pence per car is made on these days. While I do not consider that this car park constitutes a danger to the public, I am aware of the damage to the grassland surface of the car parking area. However, prohibition of car parking there on race days would cause immense traffic problems on the roads outside the park and, therefore, I consider it advisable to continue the present practice. Apart from this parking in the designated area the bye-law prohibiting parking of cars on other areas is enforced as far as practicable on race days as well as all other days of the year.
14.
asked the Minister for Finance the measures at present in force and details of any proposed measures contemplated in order to reduce traffic speed in Phoenix Park; if he is aware of the danger to the public from fast moving traffic in the park; and if he will ensure that any measures introduced will be in harmony with the environmental beauty of this much frequented resort.
The main road of the park from Parkgate Street to Castleknock Gate is subject to a speed limit of 40 miles per hour and all other roads in the park are subject to a speed limit of 30 miles per hour in accordance with an order made by the Commissioners of Public Works under the Phoenix Park Act, 1925. These speed limits are consistently enforced by the Garda who have brought a number of successful prosecutions. Offenders are prosecuted under the bye-laws.
I am fully aware of the dangers to the public created by speeding traffic in the Phoenix Park. The volume and speed of traffic seems to arise mainly from the use of the park by commuter traffic. While such use is undesirable, it is unavoidable pending the provision of roads outside the park capable of catering for the increased traffic generated by the growth of the city to the west of the park.
While recognising this position I am, nevertheless, endeavouring to take all practical measures to alleviate as far as possible the problems arising from it. The working party, representative of the Garda, local authorities, the Department of the Environment and my own office, to which I referred in the House last year, have made a number of helpful suggestions the implementation of which I have approved.
Both the working party and myself are fully conscious that any measures taken must be aesthetically acceptable. Indeed, some of the measures proposed have already been turned down on these grounds.
Is this report of the working party available? I have asked for it on numerous occasions and I have not been successful in getting any report from this working party.
I am sure it would be available. For the information of the Deputy, the recommendations are the closing of the park of through traffic at dusk or at 7 p.m. whichever is the later, the provision of roundabouts rather than traffic lights, additional speed limit signs and the closing of internal park roads.
Is the Minister aware that there have been several accidents in this park? Did I understand him properly to say that the speed limits are being rigidly enforced? The general public seem very dissatisfied with conditions in the park.
This is a statement.
I asked the Minister if he was aware.
I am aware, but there is no increase in the number of accidents over the years.
Has the Minister any figures for accidents?
Yes, I have.
Recent ones?
Accidents reported in 1973 were 77 and in 1977 there were 78. That was a slight increase, not a significant one.
Is the Minister proposing to accept the recommendation that Phoenix Park be closed to traffic from 7 p.m. and is he aware that this would cause considerable inconvenience to people from west County Dublin and County Meath coming to Dublin and would lead to greatly increased traffic on other routes?
This is what is recommended in the report.
Does the Minister of State, as representing his colleague, propose to accept these recommendations?
I have accepted and approved them.
When is this restriction to be introduced, and has any public notice of it been given?
I am sure there will be. All the necessary steps will be taken.
Is it decided then to introduce this restriction?
That is what has been recommended and approved.
When?
Last week.
I wish to lodge a protest in this matter on behalf of my constituents who will be seriously inconvenienced by this recommendation. The Government should have consulted with the public before coming to this decision.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that a vast volume of private vehicular traffic coming from as far away as Donegal, Northern Ireland, Cavan and Monaghan has been using Phoenix Park for years and years? It is a monstrous suggestion——
A question, Deputy.
(Cavan-Monaghan): ——this decision to close the park at 7 p.m.
Without consultation with anyone.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister sure that he is serious about this?
Yes.
With whom did he consult?
As I said in my reply, Dublin Corporation, local authorities, the Department of the Environment, the Garda and the Office of Public Works.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that at the Parkgate side there is no gate? The thing is silly. Will the Minister have another look with a view to undoing all this?
The views of all interested parties will be taken into account. It is not the intention to cause hardship to anybody.
The decision is already made.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the deed done?
It is to be done.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the decision made?
The recommendation has been approved.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I ask the Minister seriously to undo it.
We do not want a series of questions. This does not justify disorder.
(Interruptions.)
Can the Minister indicate in what fashion Dublin Corporation were consulted? Were the local authority members consulted, or the members of the traffic study committee?
The working party were representative of the Garda, local authorities, the Department of the Environment and my own office.
Will the Minister find out if the public representatives who represent the people of Dublin were consulted or can we take it that this was an internal consultation in which the public representatives had no say either way?
I will communicate with the Deputy.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I give notice that I wish to raise this matter on the adjournment.
I will be in communication with the Deputy during the afternoon.