Written answers

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

7:00 pm

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works intend to consult local elected representatives on traffic changes in the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32843/06]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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The advertisement placed by the Commissioners of Public Works in the media on 15th April 2006, announced the appointment of a firm of consultants, Messrs. Faber Maunsell, to undertake a comprehensive traffic management study for the Phoenix Park.

The advertisement also confirmed that the study would include extensive public consultation and this took place in the weeks following the advertisement. To further facilitate this process, the closing date for receipt of submissions was extended.

26 submissions in all were received from the public, including a few from elected representatives. In addition, stakeholders in the Phoenix Park, the Local Authorities, the Garda Authorities and the Dublin Transportation Office were consulted. Further contact with these bodies is planned.

In formulating the study therefore, the consultants took a wide range of views into account and a firm of environmental consultants, Messrs. ERM, were also engaged to assess the proposed measures contained in the Study, from an environmental perspective, a vital consideration in the context of this National Historic Park.

As confirmed in my reply dated 10th October 2006, to another question from the deputy on the same issue, a number of presentations were held on the 10th and 11th October 2006 on completion of the Study, including Residents Associations on the perimeter of the Park, the complete study is now available to view on the OPW website.

While I am satisfied that wide ranging consultation has already taken place and that all interested parties have been afforded an opportunity to contribute to the process, I will be happy, nevertheless, to accept any further submissions that local elected representatives may wish to make on the completed study. This should be done by the end of October 2006 at the latest.

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