Public Parks

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022

Thursday, 23 June 2022

Ceisteanna (196)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

196. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that there is a closing time on gate into the Irish National War Memorial Gardens on Con Colbert Road, Dublin 8, given that other gates are never closed; if this is an oversight from the days when all gates closed at same time; and if consideration will be given by the OPW to leaving the gate open till later for example until 10 pm during summer months; and if there is a logical security and safety issue involved in relation to same. [33315/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are a beautiful amenity which open to the public from 8 am each morning. While the Park is accessible at all times, due to a public right of way, the OPW close all other gates. There is no public lighting in the Park which limits the time it can be safely accessed by the public. The closure of the gate at night helps to discourage anti-social behaviour when there are no OPW staff on site. This maintains and preserves the solemn, serene atmosphere of this elegant garden so that visitors can relax and reflect, on what this Memorial Garden represents. It should be noted that the closing times of these gardens are similar to those in other city parks.

The timing of the closure of the gate is operational as the staff involved have responsibilities at other sites. There is no consideration being given to changing the current closing time of 8:30 pm during the summer months.