Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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30. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in view of the failure of the authorities over so many years to complete the Memorial Park Inchicore, if he will now end this neglect and undertake these tasks as envisaged and planned by the architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens. [9303/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge have been managed and maintained to the highest standards by the Office of Public Works and favourably compare with any of Sir Edwin Lutyens designs overseas.

Most of the original design has been undertaken and completed including the Cross, Fountains, Bookrooms, sunken rose gardens and more recently, the Temple. The gardens are well served with three entrances and it is hoped that the proposed bridge across the Liffey to the Phoenix Park will be undertaken at a future date when funding allows.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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31. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the re-opening of the Croppies Acre Memorial Park by the Office of Public Works; the issues around access and possible alterations to the park and the status of its licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9359/14]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Croppies Acre Memorial Park lies between the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks and the river Liffey. The area was managed by the Commissioners of Public Works whose staff maintained the grounds, cut grass, etc. The Park had been opened to the general public by the Office of Public Works (OPW), usually from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Saturday in line with the opening hours of the nearby National Museum. However the walls are quite easily scaled in certain parts and the grounds have been frequented by people engaging in anti-social behaviour during the hours of darkness, especially at weekends after the park gates were closed.

It was becoming increasingly common for OPW grounds staff to find used syringes among other rubbish discarded the preceding night. In consequence a decision was taken in October 2012 to close the area to the public on health and safety grounds as sufficient resources were not available to the OPW to sterilise the park every day before opening the gates and inviting the public to enter. OPW was not prepared to accept the possible health and safety risks to the visiting public.

OPW entered into negotiations with Dublin City Council’s Parks Department in 2013 with a view to handing over responsibility for the management and maintenance of the park to the City Council under a long term licence arrangement. Agreement was reached with the City Council in June 2013 to hand over responsibility for the maintenance of the park in the interim, pending the putting in place of a licence. Subsequent to this, the keys to the park were handed over to the City Council.

Before the licence can be finalised, the Council's proposals for improving access to the park and its plans for any alterations to the layout of the park (particularly in relation to the 1798 Memorial) will have to be agreed.