Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review will be undertaken by the OPW into the preparations for the Papal visit focusing on the degree of co-ordination between the different State bodies (details supplied), in particular, if more timely and more accurate information could have been provided to residents living in the zones in which entrance and access was severely restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37649/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A number of State Agencies and Departments including Department of An Taoiseach, Department of Foreign Affairs, An Garda Síochána, HSE, OPW and Dublin City Council were involved in the complex logistical planning for the Papal visit which involved separate arrangements at the following locations : Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin Castle, the Papal City Route, the Pro Cathedral, Capuchin Day Centre, Ireland West Airport, Knock Shrine, Phoenix Park, Media Centre Dublin Castle, Media Centre Phoenix Park, Media Centre Ireland West Airport, Media Centre Knock Shrine, Papal Visit Control Room - Dublin Castle.

This posed a significant challenge, bearing in mind current health, safety and welfare requirements, and was exacerbated to a degree by limited notice of the specific details of the visit which resulted in a very short planning timeline for an event of this scale, involving multiple locations.

The location with the greatest impact on local residents was the mass in the Phoenix Park. The OPW Event Management Unit worked with a dedicated Business and Community liaison team and engaged in a detailed process of communication with local residents and businesses with the following actions:

- 26 July - 200 A4 Flyers and business cards distributed to City centre businesses.

- 8 & 9 August - Business Briefings in Printworks Dublin Castle. Attended by 140 businesses.

- 4 & 5 August - 400 x A3 full colour posters distributed. Advance Notification of Community Briefing in The Castleknock Hotel.

- 10 August - Community Briefing at The Castleknock Hotel. Attended by 120 people.

- 14 – 21 August – An Post mail distribution of 144,000 booklets containing list of road closures, ‘Dear Community’ letter and contact information. These were delivered to residents and businesses in the City to advise them of restrictions in place that may impact them in advance of and during the Papal Visit. Copies of the booklet were also available from Dublin City Council, Dublin Town Kiosks, local Garda stations and from the OPW offices in Phoenix Park.

- 18 & 19 August - 60 x A3 full colour posters distributed in Smithfield, Stoneybatter and Navan Road areas re forthcoming community briefing.

- 20 August - 130 businesses and residents attended Community Briefing in Parish Hall, Prussia Street, Stoneybatter, D.7

- 20 – 27 August – Dedicated Papal Visit Helpline live in Dublin City Council.

- 23 August - 4,900 full colour A4 double-sided leaflets delivered to each of the seven designated pedestrian routes giving advance notification to residents and businesses of the large numbers of pedestrians expected to walk along these roads and the suspension of parking on their roads.

The widespread road closures around the Phoenix Park and at Knock, which probably had the greatest impact on local residents, were implemented entirely to ensure the health and safety of all those anticipated to be attending the events as well as of the residents themselves.

A post event brief, involving all Agencies involved, has already taken place.