Emer Currie (Fine Gael)
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The Phoenix Park is a much-loved amenity and natural asset. It is not just for the people of Dublin 15 and west Dublin, whom I work for, but for the whole country. People came to the park for the visit of the Pope in 1979, which was my first visit. They come to visit Jinpa, the red panda, in Dublin Zoo. They come to play GAA or cricket, which is the fastest growing sport in west Dublin. They use it for a weekly walk. The Phoenix Park is not your average park and there are very strongly held views about how the park is managed. It is a busy, living and breathing park, and we want it to be used and enjoyed. We must also ensure it is protected as a home for biodiversity and nature. It requires a balance of needs and those needs have changed over the past decade, and need to change further, based on our sustainability and climate change agendas.

The transport and mobility study last year gave us an opportunity to debate and discuss the changes required and the needs of the park. The Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Minister listened to people who said they want better and safer cycling facilities and walking trails and paths, and better and safer links to the park, including by public transport. They do not want the park to be used only as a commuter highway into town or as an all-day car park for commuters. Can we please not throw the baby out with the bathwater?

Every week, I receive voicemail messages from older people who used to use Chesterfield Avenue, which runs the length of the park, for parking to access walks in areas that are unspoiled and are not congested. They cannot find places to park anymore. They need alternatives to be able to enjoy the park and spread out across it.

I thank the OPW for its engagement with Dublin Zoo to address its parking needs. Additional spaces have been provided on North Road. Councillor Siobhán Shovlin from Castleknock has suggested age-friendly spaces and says the needs of our elderly are not being addressed. I agree with her. We need alternatives and more information about how people can access parking. Perhaps an application could tell people where car parking is available across the various pockets of the park.

I would like to hear about the progress of the trial for a bus to run from Heuston Station to the Cabra gate. I believe that, as part of the trial, it was found that the bus did not fit through the gate. I reiterate the views of the community, who would prefer a shuttle bus that brings people to all different parts of the park. We should consider a dedicated and climate-friendly electric bus to bring people all over the park.

The 30 km/h speed limit on Chesterfield Avenue is not working. I am all for such a speed limit, especially in densely-populated areas such as estates, where there are volumes of children. That would apply to certain areas of the park but Chesterfield Avenue is a straight road on which people are highly alert and enjoying the scenery around them. Drivers are trying to observe the 30 km/h speed limit but with the best will in the world, they are not doing so. This is where people get frustrated. We are trying to bring them on a green and sustainable journey with us, as we need to. When people see things like that speed limit, it frustrates them. The limit is not workable or practical for people and is putting them off. Can we be green and practical?

We have heard loud and clear from the OPW that cars are not welcome in the park but that also affects people who visit the park. The OPW has tried to close three of the gates to exiting traffic and is not providing alternative parking spaces. The 30 km/h speed limit is not workable for cars. The OPW is telling us that cars are not welcome but when there are not sufficient public transport links, it is telling us that people are not welcome. There is a fear that the OPW is working alone and not with county councils. When the OPW makes decisions, it impacts on the surrounding communities and the county councils are having to deal with those impacts. We want co-operation. Everybody wants to reduce car use and traffic but the OPW must work with the area, as has been said by Councillor Colm O'Rourke of Dublin City Council.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Like the Senator, I was in the Phoenix Park for the visit of the Pope in 1979 and still have fond memories of it. The Senator has outlined the challenges facing this hugely popular resource for the people of Dublin. It is one of the largest public parks in Europe, as far as I am aware. It is important that the park should be a living, breathing space for everyone, and for all other species, including exotic species, that occupy the park. It is critical that we get this right.

I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who is deeply committed to ensuring that the sustainable use of the park continues into the future. The post-consultation report for the Phoenix Park transport and mobility study was launched last summer. The consultation process saw over 2,200 people engage with the OPW on their vision for the Phoenix Park. The Phoenix Park transport and mobility options study recognised the diverse and complex functions that the park serves, including its historic landscape, biodiversity habitats, visitor attractions and recreational spaces, along with its significant institutions and places of work.

The study proposed that the recommendations would be undertaken in three phases over the next seven years. Within the study, five common themes emerged in the areas of walking and cycling; access, gates and roads; public transport; movement within the park; and public consultation. The study proposed that the recommendations will be undertaken in three phases over the next seven years. I am proud that works are well advanced for the projects identified in phase 1.

A pilot study has been implemented for nine months for culs-de-sac on the North Road and Upper Glen Road. This commenced on Monday, 28 February 2022. The North Road has new road markings and signage, and is operating a one-way system in the city direction only. The OPW has erected signage at both entrances to the Upper Glen Road notifying motorists of this. Bollards delineating the cul-de-sac have been installed to allow cyclists, wheelchairs and people with buggies access. In addition, there are two cycle lanes clearly marked on the North Road.

The design and plans for the 8 km permanent one-directional cycle lanes along both sides of Chesterfield Avenue, linking Castleknock to the city, are currently being advanced with the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council. Baseline topographical surveys are currently being undertaken. The OPW has installed traffic lane separators along the entire length of Chesterfield Avenue, on both sides of the road, providing a safer environment for cyclists. More than 8 km of temporary cones have been removed and these new durable and strong lane separators will ensure a safer experience for both cyclists and vehicles using Chesterfield Avenue. In addition, more than 40 new bike stands have been installed throughout the park, with another 70 planned for 2022.

A 30 km/h speed limit was implemented in the park on 28 February. The reduction of the speed limit for all traffic will preserve the park as an access route to Dublin, while safely accommodating access for all. I take on board the points opposing it but it is critical that the 30 km/h limit be retained. It was introduced in the interests of public safety and there has been a significant reduction of speeds within the park with a noticeable change in driver behaviour, which is what this is all about. Drivers may not slow to a speed of 30 km/h but they are keeping their speed lower, which is critical. It makes the park a safer place for all visitors. While there may be some frustration regarding this reduction in speed, studies have shown that lower speeds reduce the risk of fatalities dramatically. It should be noted that when motorists exit the park towards the city, the same 30 km/h speed limit applies. This speed limit has been adopted in many other urban areas across Europe, including in cities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, not only for safety reasons, but to reduce noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions.

Parking remains a concern in the park. There are approximately 2,000 dedicated parking spaces available for the public to use. These include five car parks linked to Chesterfield Avenue and all of these car parks are served by surfaced footpaths traversing the park. As part of the pilot one-way scheme on the North Road, the OPW has created further car parking spaces to facilitate visitors to the park and visitors to Dublin Zoo. The OPW is undertaking a parking strategy for the park. A commencement meeting is due to take place later this week with the appointed consultants. This six-month study will include a baseline review, identify options, undertake public consultation and make a series of recommendations.

Emer Currie (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. He said that drivers may not slow to a speed of 30 km/h and that is where the frustration is coming from.They are trying to hit the 30 km/h speed limit. People want to make the park work for everybody. I have noticed a decrease in speed and I accept that, overall, things are improving. However, people should not be penalised for not observing the 30 km/h limit.

I do not know where the 2,000 parking spaces are. I welcome the parking strategy. Perhaps the issue is around communications, but the frustration is there. Elderly people and people who are not mobile need to be able to access the park in the way that they could before. It is brilliant that we are progressing on active travel, but we also have to make sure visitors who want to enjoy the park are able to do so and, most important, that they feel welcome in the park. At the moment, communities are telling me they do not feel welcome.

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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I again welcome the visitors in the public gallery. I did not respond to the issue the Senator raised around the shuttle bus. We have implemented similar schemes in Glenveagh National Park, and we are looking at this because there are increased visitor numbers across our parks. The National Transport Authority is reviewing bus options for a pilot bus route linking the Phoenix Park to Heuston and Broombridge stations. That might be an option.

The Minister and the Office of Public Works are deeply committed to ensuring that the Phoenix Park is for everybody and that people can access it and feel safe in it. That is critically important for people of all ages. Long-stay commuter parking, as well as high levels of illegal parking around the perimeter of the park, were identified as major issues in the transport and mobility study. Therefore, those issues have to be addressed. We have to look at this outside the context of the park itself and look at parking options as well. We want the park to be a sustainable place for everybody to enjoy. It is a huge amenity for the people of Dublin. As I said, the Minister of State, Deputy Donovan, is committed to ensuring the park is available for everybody to enjoy.