Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking an update on the Phoenix Park transport and mobility study. It is more than two years ago since that strategy was launched and two and a half years since the public had their say. We cannot underestimate the importance of open space and the role that the Phoenix Park plays in the city in providing open space.

In the inner city, park use in terms of land use is only at 1.4%. Dublin North-West and Dublin North-Central have the highest percentage of land use for parks. That is because of the Phoenix Park. In Fingal, where I am from in Dublin West, we reach our targets in terms of open space per population and per person, but we do not have the connectivity people need to access those parks and that is a problem.As we see more compact growth in the city, it is also very clear how important it is to have access and connectivity to open spaces now and in the future. Between 2006 and 2022, the population in Fingal grew by 38% and, therefore, our parks need quality cycle lanes, both in them and connecting to them, public transport that connects to them and parking for people who need to drive. The Phoenix Park should be a hub of connectivity but it is not. There have been changes but I am not sure if we have necessarily seen improvements. It is brilliant that the No. 99 bus service has been introduced and is a step in the right direction. The bus departs from Heuston Station every 30 minutes and travels to the visitors' centre but the service finishes at 6 p.m. when Dublin Zoo is a hive of activity because of Wild Lights, which happens in the evening. The bus service is a pilot scheme and I saw one person on the bus coming from town this morning on my way in. I want the No. 99 bus service to succeed and to do that, the route should be extended to Dublin 15. People in the city centre and the residents of Blanchardstown, Lucan and Finglas use the park the most. Public transport connectivity needs to be extended to these areas.

On cycle lanes, the Phoenix Park should apply best practice and have the highest quality cycle lanes, not bollards on the side of the road. There should be segregated cycle lanes and Dutch-style roundabouts like we are beginning to see in Fingal and Churchfield. Let us lead the way with that. I commend the Fingal County Council on its plan to provide cycle lanes into the park

On parking, there are people who need to drive to the park so they need to be able to park in the park. There are places to park in the park that are not publicised, which is an issue that can simply be remedied but that has not been done. There is a proposal to build a new car park just off the first roundabout on the left-hand side travelling from Castleknock. As guardians and protectors of the Phoenix Park and open spaces, should we not also consider instead of putting new tarmac down into the Phoenix Park but reinstate parking from Castleknock Gate to the first roundabout to facilitate the same number of cars? That option has not been considered and could be done if we had segregated cycle lanes.