asked the Minister for Finance if the position of head gardener in the Phoenix Park, Dublin has been filled.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Phoenix Park, Dublin.
151.
Mr. Kenny
The staffing structure in the Phoenix Park is at present being reviewed. An existing vacancy for a head gardener will not be filled until the review has been completed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say how long that vacancy has been in existence?
Mr. Kenny
The position the Deputy inquires about is that of head gardener. There is no vacancy in the Phoenix Park as such for a head gardener. There are two posts of head gardener in the Phoenix Park, one in the People's Gardens and another in Árus an Uachtarán. Neither post is at present vacant nor has it been so for some years. There is a vacancy for a head gardener in the War Memorial Park, Islandbridge, but that is not in the Phoenix Park. The general organisation structure of parks under the Office of Public Works is under review at present, and when this has been completed steps will be taken to fill the vacancy in the War Memorial Park.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to receive some nominations?
Mr. Kenny
They will come in due course, and I will consider them fairly.
I have some names in mind.
Mr. Kenny
So have I.
152.
asked the Minister for Finance if the positions of park superintendent and assistant park superintendent in the Phoenix Park, Dublin have been filled; and, if not, why?
Mr. Kenny
The position of superintendent, Phoenix Park, has not been vacant for many years. There is a vacancy for assistant superintendent but the filling of it has been deferred pending the outcome of a general review of organisational needs which is in progress.
The Deputy was misinformed about that also.
My information was that the assistant superintendent would be given the superintendent's post. How long has the post been vacant?
Mr. Kenny
The present superintendent in the Phoenix Park has filled the post since 1966. There has been no recent vacancy for superintendent in this or in any other park under the control of the Office of Public Works. The post of assistant superintendent in the Phoenix Park has been vacant since November, 1969, when the last holder resigned. No effort has been made to recruit a replacement. Instead, the overall administrative position of this and other parks is being examined. Draft proposals for a new organisation have been prepared. It is expected that these will be submitted for approval to the Department of the Public Service in a comparatively short time, say, within one or two months. At the moment the duties of assistant superintendent are being performed by two subordinate members of the staff who are paid a special allowance.
Is it not proposed to fill the position of assistant superintendent as has been done in the past?
Mr. Kenny
It has not been decided yet. There is a review of all the organisation pending.
153.
asked the Minister for Finance if gatekeepers and park constables in the Phoenix Park, Dublin operate the power of arrest; if not, why; if so, the number of arrests in the last year; and if the same position applies to all national parks including the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park, Killarney, County Kerry.
Mr. Kenny
The Phoenix Park Act, 1925, and the Bourn Vincent Memorial Park Act, 1932, give powers of arrest to a park constable, but not to a gatekeeper, employed in those parks. Neither park constables nor gatekeepers have such powers in any other park administered by the Commissioners of Public Works.
It has not been necessary in the last year for constables in such parks where they have powers of arrest to exercise them. There was nobody there last year.
Have these park constables ways and means of getting in touch with each other in the event of coming across a group of people whom they could not apprehend themselves?
Mr. Kenny
Of course they have. They have a habit of yodelling to each other. They may have walkietalkies.
154.
asked the Minister for Finance if it is his intention to phase out cattle grazing in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Mr. Kenny
It is not proposed to discontinue cattle grazing in the Phoenix Park as it serves as a maintenance function. The position is reviewed each year in the light of the previous year's experience to determine the maximum limit that is commensurate with good husbandry and the amenity user of the park by the general public.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that in the past this cattle grazing has proved to be an accident hazard? Would he consider the benefits of cattle grazing as distinct from mechanical cutting?
Mr. Kenny
That is a question which an urban Deputy like Deputy Lemass would not understand at all. The cheapest way of getting the grass cut in a vast area like the Phoenix Park is to have that grazing done by ruminants; they improve themselves and they fertilise the land.
In view of the present state of the cattle trade, will the Parliamentary Secretary endeavour to accommodate as many cattle as possible in the Phoenix Park or anywhere else under his jurisdiction?
Mr. Kenny
We will accommodate all we can. It all depends on the weather and on the sod condition in the park.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary make the Phoenix Park available to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries who would bring up some of the cattle which are dying from malnutrition in the south of Ireland?
That is a separate question.
155.
asked the Minister for Finance if the bye-laws made in 1926 in respect of the Phoenix Park, Dublin will be updated.
Mr. Kenny
Revision of the Phoenix Park bye-laws is under consideration.
Was a draft revision ready when the Parliamentary Secretary took office? Was there any reason why it was not submitted?
Mr. Kenny
Perhaps we can improve on the draft submitted. If so, we will do so, but the best possible draft of the bye-laws will be implemented.
When can we expect to see a copy of these?
Mr. Kenny
Opinions and suggestions were invited and received from various interested groups and they are now being examined. It is not possible to say when these bye-laws can be brought into force.
156.
asked the Minister for Finance if there are any proposals to improve the playing pitches in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Mr. Kenny
The general question of the public playing pitches in the Phoenix Park, their use and their condition, is at present under consideration.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree, in view of the very wet weather we have had in recent times, that these pitches are likely to be overplayed in the soft ground conditions?
Mr. Kenny
They are generally over used. This applies particularly to the soccer pitches where three matches are played each weekend throughout the playing season. One of the main factors militating against the proper maintenance of the pitches is the fact that the soil in the Phoenix Park is of such a nature that drainage is very poor. That is why the pitches get blackened.
Could thought be given to having hard pitches which can be used more frequently than soft pitches?
Mr. Kenny
You could not have hard pitches for playing football.
There are many such pitches which are very successful. Will the Parliamentary Secretary inquire about them?
Mr. Kenny
I will.