Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 14 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 7

Written Answers. - Dublin Zoo.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

71 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if he will request the Commissioners of Public Works to reconsider their decision in relation to the request by Dublin Zoo to obtain additional lands adjacent to the Zoological Gardens in the Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, in order to enable the zoo to expand its facilities, consolidate its activities and ensure that it is capable of being established on a viable basis and thereby preserve for the people of Ireland the unique cultural and tourist contribution which the zoo has made over the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

In 1988 a joint working group was established with representatives of the Office of Public Works and of the Royal Zoological Society of Ireland to consider how the OPW could be of assistance to improve the operation of the zoo. The RZSI representatives indicated that the provision of additional space was a long-term aspiration which would become an issue in the future but that there were more pressing issues related to traffic management and access to the zoo. The working party examined these issues and some progress was made. In 1989 the Government appointed a committee to advise on the future operations of Dublin Zoo and until their report is to hand I would not consider it appropriate to make any further comment in the matter.