Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps Senator Mulherin would like to speak to Commissioner Hogan about the disgraceful acts that seem to have taken place against farmers. Obviously, the climate is very important in all of this. If Europe is seen to lead the way worldwide, we are surely in a very sorry state.

I wish to, again, raise my favourite place in Dublin - Phoenix Park. The public consultation finished a while ago. Over 3,000 submissions were made but there is a lot of disquiet in that it was limited and there seemed to a brief period of time during which individuals and community groups could make submissions. The proposal involves a massive overhaul of the park that will have a significant impact on the largest park in Europe. It involves shuttle buses, trains, developing the visitors' centre and the Magazine Fort. In particular, people are outraged by what might become permanent enlarged car parking spaces at a time when we are looking to be more eco-friendly, to be kind to ourselves and the environment and to hold on to every inch and blade of grass in our city because we do not have much of itOnce concrete is poured, that great space is lost forever; it is the lung for Dublin. The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, Deputy Moran, should come to the House to give us an update on this consultation and plans for the next stages.