Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

My final question takes us back to the Phoenix Park. Last year, the OPW proposed a redevelopment plan for the park that included the addition of retail, significant new construction within the park, the relegation of Natura 2000 biodiversity quotas and the construction of new permanent car parks. This proposal was met with a great deal of opposition from the general public and, to its credit, the OPW took much of that opposition on board. However, the OPW should be taking the lead in protecting biodiversity as part of its climate targets as well as reducing emissions from its built heritage properties. It should not require a public campaign to ensure it does so. Are there processes in place to have material proposals from the OPW reviewed by independent consultants in respect of their potential impact on things like habitat loss, biodiversity, native wildlife, historic landscapes and flooding?

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