Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Duncan Smith and Eoin Ó Broin for their comments. I think everyone knows there is no intention that any lands such as the Phoenix Park would be used by the LDA, nor will that ever happen. The Bill deals with relevant public lands, which are lands in the ownership of public bodies in population areas of more than 10,000. Section 3 of the Phoenix Park Act 1925 confirms that the park is for the general purpose of recreation and enjoyment by the public. The majority of parks and heritage sites will be outside the scope of the definition in this amendment. Where such sites are in more urban areas, however, they are included on the register of relevant public lands. That is all. I take Deputy Ó Broin's point about the website, but that is a prototype. It may have led to some confusion, which we have flagged. Senator Moynihan raised this a number of weeks ago. There is absolutely no question that any of our public parks, including the Phoenix Park, would be taken over by the LDA. Let us look at all the checks and balances in the Bill. It is important to note that the inclusion of land as a relevant public land on the register does not mean it is to be used for housing.

As for the aim of the register, and going back to our disagreements at the start as to whether or not the LDA should build homes, everyone has said the agency should have a register of public land. One would have thought we should have had that quite some time ago.

I am not in a position to accept the amendment. Too much focus has been given to this alleged issue over recent weeks. I genuinely think most people understood completely that this is something that would never happen. The register of public lands is important. I do, however, take the point about the website. That is being worked on. However, I am not in a position to accept the amendment.