Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. It is positive that they are looking at toilet infrastructure where there is a wastewater supply, but like I have said, they do not need to just restrict themselves to that. In fact, using these eco-toilets which are run on a composting basis would fit in with how people use the park, and prevent people going to the same places so they can have the reliability of accessing this essential infrastructure which makes the park a welcoming place.

I hoped the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan would be here, but he is not. However, I will draw it to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Smyth, that the survey which is being run at the moment regarding the parking strategy includes a question which has been ruled out by the OPW as something which it is not going to bring forward. That is the option of expanding the Lord's Walk car park beside Dublin Zoo and surrounding parkland from 270 car spaces to 1,350 car spaces, with a new two-storey car park and associated infrastructure. That was ruled out by the OPW, but it is included in their survey. However, car parking charges which are being proposed by the OPW are not included in the survey. If we are talking spending about lots of money on infrastructure that is not going to happen, can we please spend money on infrastructure which should be implemented, like toilets?