Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This issue falls exclusively under the remit of the OPW and the Deputy should not feel the need to apologise for raising this matter. It is an important issue, not least because of the historical connection but also because of its location. The site is on a major thoroughfare running alongside the River Liffey into town. Hundreds of thousands of cars pass the area every year. It is also close to the National Museum at Collins Barracks and, therefore, it is an important tourist location. The Deputy is correct to raise the issue and to put the OPW and myself under as much pressure as he can to resolve it. He should make no apologies whatsoever for that.

The area known as Croppies Acre lies between the National Museum at Collins Barracks and the River Liffey. It is enclosed by walls and has access gates. The area is managed by the Commissioners of Public Works whose staff maintain the grounds, cut grass, etc. Croppies Acre has been susceptible to anti-social behaviour for some time. The walls are easily scaled in certain parts and the grounds are frequented by drug users, junkies and people abusing alcohol generally during the hours of darkness and especially at weekends. The grounds had been opened to the general public by the OPW, usually between 9.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, in line with the opening hours of the nearby National Museum.

However, it was becoming increasingly common for the OPW to discover used syringes among other rubbish discarded on the preceding night. In consequence, a decision was taken in May 2011 to close the area to the public on health and safety grounds. Sufficient resources are not available to the OPW to sterilise the entire area every day before opening the gates and inviting the public to enter and the commissioners, reasonably, were not prepared to accept the risk of, say, a child picking up a discarded needle with potentially disastrous consequences for his or her health. It was with reluctance that the commissioners decided to close Croppies Acre and they have been exploring ways of reopening this small park for some time. Discussions are ongoing with Dublin City Council in this regard and I am hopeful that the park can be re-opened to the public in the not too distant future under the management of the council.

I would like to correct recent media reports, which stated that the Croppies Acre park contained the Anna Livia fountain and sculpture originally located on O'Connell Street. This monument is sited in an area nearby but outside the Croppies Acre grounds and it is not under the management or control of the Commissioners of Public Works. The monument is still accessible to the public.

It is my intention and that of the OPW and Dublin City Council to see if we can reopen this small park as soon as possible. Logically, its management should lie with the city council and we are having discussions with its officials. I hope the fact that the Deputy has put the issue on the agenda of the House will ensure a commonsense solution can be found between the OPW and the council. I look forward to that meeting shortly.

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