Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
310. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the restoration works being carried out on the entrance gates to the Phoenix Park; the current location of the gates; if restoration work is being carried out on them; when the work will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33765/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was a condition of the planning consent granted by Dublin City Council for the temporary removal of the gates in July 2018 that seven gates and entrances would be fully conserved and repaired before being reinstated.
The OPW has commenced a significant conservation programme for all of these gates. Given the unique and specialised nature of this work, a comprehensive conservation report for each of the gates, railings, piers and abutment walls was required. This has now been completed and the invitation to tender for the conservation and restoration of the gates, which is of a highly specialised nature, will be issued imminently. As part of the tender process, the gates will be available for inspection at their current location in the Phoenix Park.
Once the restoration of the gates has been completed, the temporary gates will be removed, the existing stone pillars will be repaired and the newly restored gates will be rehung.
It is not possible to provide a definitive completion date at this stage but it is estimated that the project should be completed by early Q2, 2020.
