Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role the OPW will undertake during the Papal visit to the Phoenix Park; the way in which security and logistics will be handled; if the OPW has contracted and-or sub-contracted event planning, equipment hire and security barriers to a private company; if so, the companies engaged; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35736/18]
View answer221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW's estimated attendance figures at the recent Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36862/18]
View answer222. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the recent Papal visit; the estimated economic benefit of the visit; the estimated economic impact of the significant travel restrictions imposed on Dublin city during the visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36863/18]
View answer232. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs to the Office of Public Works of hosting the Papal visit in the Phoenix Park; if his officials have carried out an evaluation of the impact on the flora and fauna in the park, adjacent local residents and users of the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/18]
View answer233. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of reinstating the Phoenix Park after the Papal visit; when this will be complete; the fees that were charged to the event organisers; the contractors employed; the estimated attendance at the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36985/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 221, 222, 232 and 233 together.
At the request of the Government, the Office of Public Works implemented an overarching Papal Visit Management Plan in conjunction with the World Meeting of Families. The primary objective was to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all participants, attendees and staff.
The Office of Public Works managed the safety and logistics aspects of the visit in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.
Event Planning, equipment hire and the provision of security barriers was contracted through the OPW Event Management Services Procurement Framework. Under this Framework the following companies provided services:
- Actavo
- Arcana
- Catapult
- Eamon O'Boyle & Associates
- Pulse Security Management Ltd
- Eventsec
The final cost in this regard is not available as yet. However, I can advise that €4.9million has been paid to date.
The Estimated attendance at the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park was 150,000 people.
The overall final cost of the Papal Visit is not available as yet. Although the visit is over, the OPW continues to work on the logistical arrangements which includes the de-rig, reinstatement and post-event administration for venues and locations associated with the visit including Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin Castle, the Papal City Route, the Pro Cathedral, Capuchin Day Centre, Ireland West Airport, Knock Shrine, Phoenix Park, Media Centre Dublin Castle, Media Centre Phoenix Park, Media Centre Ireland West Airport, Media Centre Knock Shrine, and Papal Visit Control Room - Dublin Castle.
OPW does not have any information in relation to the estimated economic benefit of the visit or the estimated economic impact on traffic restrictions on Dublin City during the visit.
OPW worked closely with all the agencies involved in the Papal Mass event to minimise the impact on the flora and fauna in the Phoenix Park. While some localised ground compaction occurred, as would be expected with an event of this scale, the overall effect on the flora and fauna of the Park was negligible.
With a view to minimising the impact of the event in the Phoenix Park on local residents and regular Park users, OPW implemented the following measures:
- Engaged dedicated Business and Community Liaison team.
- 26 July - 200 A4 Flyers and business cards distributed to City centre businesses.
- 8 and 9 August - Business Briefings in Printworks Dublin Castle. Attended by 140 businesses.
- 4 and 5 August - 400 x A3 full colour posters distributed. Advance Notification of Community Briefing in The Castleknock Hotel.
- 10 August - Community Briefing at The Castleknock Hotel. Attended by 120 people.
- 14 - 21 August – An Post mail distribution of 144,000 booklets containing list of road closures, ‘Dear Community’ letter and contact information. These were delivered to residents and businesses in the City to advise them of restrictions in place that may impact them in advance of and during the Papal Visit. Copies of the booklet were also available from Dublin City Council, Dublin Town Kiosks, local Garda stations and from the OPW offices in Phoenix Park.
- 18 and 19 August - 60 x A3 full colour posters distributed in Smithfield, Stoneybatter and Navan Road areas re forthcoming community briefing.
- 20 August - 130 businesses and residents attended Community Briefing in Parish Hall, Prussia Street, Stoneybatter, D.7
- 20 - 27 August – Dedicated Papal Visit Helpline live in Dublin City Council.
- 23 August - 4,900 full colour A4 double-sided leaflets delivered to each of the seven designated pedestrian routes giving advance notification to residents and businesses of the large numbers of pedestrians expected to walk along these roads and the suspension of parking on their roads.
As described above, the process of de-rig, dismantling and removal of event infrastructure is ongoing in the Park and until complete, a costing for reinstatement of the Park cannot be provided. It is expected that these costs will be minimal. It is also expected that reinstatement works will be completed by the end of the year.
The organiser of the Papal Visit was the World Meeting of Families. No fees were charged.
In addition to the deployment of its own direct labour resources, the following contractors were engaged by the OPW in the Phoenix Park in relation to the Papal Visit:
- Actavo
- Ailesbury Ltd
- Catapult
- ETAV Ltd
- Eventus Ltd
- Total Event Hire
- Mongey Communications (Clardex Systems t/a Mongey Communications)
- Eventsec
- With Taste
- King Tree Services
- Garrido Limited
- Shaw Tree Services
- Darwin's Tree Services
- Peter O'Brien & Sons Landscapes
- Fleming & Co Signs
- Celtic Roadsweepers
- CFA Construction
- Conex Civil Engineering
- McLoughlin Line Marking Ltd
- Des Byrne Painting Contractors
- MC Decorators Ltd
- GMC Civil Engineering
- MP Decorators Ltd
- Draintech
- CSI Cleaning Services
- SDS Traffic Management Services
- Bill Kearney
- BirdWatch Ireland.
