Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

——and in addition to that, stakeholders in the park, the local authorities, the Garda authorities, the Dublin Transportation Office and the Office of Public Works were consulted.

In formulating the study therefore, Messrs. Faber Maunsell took a wide range of views into account and a firm of environmental consultants, Messrs. ERM Limited, was also engaged to assess the proposed measures contained in the study from an environmental protection perspective, a vital consideration in the context of this national historic park.

On completion of the study earlier this month, a number of presentations on the study were arranged on 10 and 11 October for the parties outlined above who contributed to the process. This included a presentation to resident associations on the perimeter of the Phoenix Park, which I understand Deputy Costello may have attended.

The commissioning of an independent traffic management study for the Phoenix Park was necessary on a number of counts: to protect this national historic park from growing traffic pressures, to ensure the amenities of the park are not degraded, to ensure public access to the park and its amenities is enhanced, to significantly reduce risks to the public arising from traffic movements, to collate a range of proposals to achieve these objectives and to enhance public awareness on the need for these measures.

The commissioners are satisfied that positive intervention to address these challenges is absolutely essential and that the "do nothing" approach is not an option. Following the recent consultation process, the commissioners are considering the phased implementation of a number of the principal measures proposed in the report.

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