asked the Minister for Finance if he will make funds available to improve the dressing-rooms in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
8.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Phoenix Park, Dublin.
7.
asked the Minister for Finance if he considers that there is a need for an additional pavilion to serve the GAA pitches in the Phoenix Park at weekends; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
From the information available to me I am satisfied that the pavilions and dressing-room facilities available in the Phoenix Park are adequate for present needs.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in certain cases the gentlemen cannot go into the dressing-room when there are ladies present, or else they will have to have mixed dressing-rooms.
That is a mixed supplementary question.
It is one which should concern the Parliamentary Secretary.
It is one which concerns us all. My information is that the new pavilion is not fully utilised.
That is not the complaint I get.
9.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of a previous reply (details supplied), he considers that some of the GAA and soccer pitches in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, should be closed on a rotational basis with a view to having them levelled and reseeded; and if he has made a final decision on this matter.
During the recent close season repairs were carried out to a number of the pitches and this work will be continued in future seasons. This repair work will be kept under observation. Should this method of maintenance be unsuccessful, consideration will be given to resting pitches on a rotation basis.
Before the summer before last, I raised this matter with the Parliamentary Secretary. I thought he was agreeable in principle to having these pitches repaired properly.
I can assure the Deputy the matter will be kept under very close review.
10.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has reached a decision regarding the provision of refreshments in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
11.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider setting up a coffee bar and restaurant in the Phoenix Park similar to that operated in the park fronting the European Parliament and the Council of Europe Buildings in Strasbourg, properly screened and blending with the immediate surroundings.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
No decision has been reached on the question of providing refreshment facilities in the Phoenix Park. The Deputy's suggestion regarding a suitably screened restaurant will be kept in mind.
Has any progress been made on the proposal put forward by the Bolton Street Technical School students, which included this recommendation, about three years ago when I was Parliamentary Secretary?
It is correct to say that a survey was carried out at that time. The recommendations have been noted.
Noting them will not help. Something should be done.
I can assure the Deputy that his suggestion regarding a suitably screened restaurant will certainly be kept in mind.
12.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of complaints made to Deputy Lemass regarding the deplorable condition of toilet facilities in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, he will state the necessary improvements that will be carried out in the near future.
I am satisfied that the existing public toilets in the Phoenix Park are maintained in a satisfactory condition and my Office has not received any formal complaints about them.
The provision of additional public toilets in the park is under consideration but I am not in a position to state when a decision will be reached.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me whether his officials and the people I know who utilise the park go to different toilets?
I cannot say what toilets they go to.
There would be no point in people telling me the toilets were in a bad condition if they were not.
While the existing public toilets in the Phoenix Park are old, they are kept clean and are attended regularly.
Regularly called to or attended to?
The Deputy would be the best judge of that himself.
I have not been to the Phoenix Park for a long time.
13.
asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the improvement of the Phoenix Park, Dublin, as a recreational centre.
The Phoenix Park at present caters very adequately for a wide range of recreational activities and I see no need for any major improvements.
Consideration is being given to the provision of additional basic facilities such as car parks and toilets.
The last development there was the nature trail. Perhaps that could be extended to cover a greater area of the park.
I will have the Deputy's views considered.
14.
asked the Minister for Finance the improvements that have been made with regard to the condition of the Army sports grounds and pavilion in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of the Army sports grounds and pavilion rests with the Army Athletic Association who hold the property under licence from the Commissioners of Public Works.
Some repairs to the pavilion have been carried out recently and the association are being asked to carry out further repairs. The sports grounds are being adequately maintained.
Do I take it from that answer and the answer I got from the Minister for Defence last week that the Army Athletic Association finance themselves and are not supplemented or assisted out of State funds?
As I have conveyed to the Deputy, the responsibility for maintenance and improvement of the Army sports ground rests with the Army Athletic Association.
Have they got the money to do this?
I cannot say what money they have, but I can assure the Deputy they are responsible.
15.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the filling in of the open channels near main roads in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, and their replacement by shallow closed drains.
16.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will make arrangements for a quicker drainage of surplus water within the Phoenix Park area, Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
I am advised that the drainage of the Phoenix Park is reasonably satisfactory and that no special action is called for at the present time. The question of the replacement of the open channels referred to will be borne in mind if and when it is decided to carry out a general drainage improvement scheme in the future.