Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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337. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans of the OPW to reopen in the near future the Ashton and Islandbridge gates in the Phoenix Park to traffic in view of the fact that the closure is causing serious disruption to residents travelling by necessity in a north to south direction from many neighbourhoods in the Dublin 15 area. [15826/20]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Perimeter Gates of the Phoenix Park including the Ashtown Gate and Islandbridge Gate were reopened to vehicular traffic on Friday10 July.

This decision was based on an increase in the volume of traffic in the neighbouring areas surrounding the Park to which the gate closures have in part contributed. In fact, a further increase in traffic volume in the coming weeks and months with the escalation of the returning workforce within the City and the re-opening of Schools might be anticipated.

I would like to assure the deputy that this Office will continue to evolve its approach to the operations and somewhat complex issues of the Phoenix Park in order to respond, where possible, to the usage patterns of locals and visitors and to ensure that the amenities of this historic park continue to be central to its management approach on a daily basis, where flora and fauna thrive and where visitors’ health and wellbeing can be enhanced through experiencing the natural environment in the Park.