asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware of the early hours for the closing of the Botanic Gardens during the summer months, the hours for opening and closing being:—Sundays, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and week-days, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and if steps will be taken to have an earlier opening on Sundays and later closing on both Sundays and week-days.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LATER CLOSING OF BOTANIC GARDENS.
Mr. HOGAN
The hours stated by the Deputy for the opening and closing of the Botanic Gardens are correct and have been in existence since the year 1895. The proposal to have an earlier opening on Sundays and later closing on both Sundays and week-days, which would, of course, entail increased expenditure, will be carefully considered.
Would the Minister consider the desirability of following the French precedent of closing the Gardens one day a week, Monday, in order to open for longer hours on the other days?
Will the Minister consider whether there should be any advantage taken of summer time?
Mr. HOGAN
On the face of it, the proposal to keep the Gardens open a little later seems to be reasonable, and it is getting consideration from that point of view. Both suggestions, made by Deputy Johnson and Deputy Cooper, will be considered. I understand Deputy Cooper's suggestion is to close for one day entirely, and to open later the other days. There is another possibility: that is to open for three months in the summer till later hours. Both of these are being considered.