Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason staff and service users in St Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park were not consulted by the Office of Public Works early in 2007 in relation to the proposed new one way traffic system at Chapelizod Gate, which has a direct bearing on them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29298/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Office of Public Works has plans to open the other Phoenix Park gates to alleviate the traffic pressures on Chapelizod from traffic coming from or going towards Castleknock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29299/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

The measures taken to improve traffic safety including the one-way system at the Chapelizod and Islandbridge Gates of the Phoenix Park are contained in the Phoenix Park Transportation Study which was published in September 2006.

The Office of Public Works together with the consultants, Messrs Faber Maunsell, engaged in an extensive consultation process prior to the formulation and publication of the study and sought submissions by means of press advertisements, website notice and invitations to all key stakeholders including St Mary's Hospital. Numerous public presentations were made following the publication of the study and indeed representatives from St Mary's attended at least one of these presentations on 11th October 2006 .

Details of the proposed one-way traffic system at Chapelizod and Islandbridge Gates were disseminated in January 2007. St Mary's Hospital was notified about the proposals and the system was introduced in June 2007.

There are no plans to re-open any closed gates or roads in the Phoenix Park. These gates and roads were originally closed for safety reasons and the curtailment of traffic across Chesterfield Avenue has led to a reduction in traffic accidents within the Park and enhanced the visitor experience of the Park amenities.