Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Phoenix Park is a historic landscape of international importance and one of the largest designed landscapes in any European city. The Park represents a unique natural and cultural landscape that is both a historic park and a city park and which provides a setting for a range of activities and amenities.

The Park is a complex place comprising many components that serve a variety of functions. It is often referred to as Dublin’s ‘Green Lung’ as it offers citizens and visitors an extraordinary opportunity to engage with nature and the outdoors right in the heart of our capital city.

Following an extensive public consultation process, the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published last year with a number of key recommendations, including the reduction of the speed limit from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.

The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety and there has been a reduction of speeds within the Park with a noticeable change in driver behaviour, making the Park a safer place for all visitors.

Studies have shown that a reduction in the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour reduces the risk of fatalities. The 30 kilometres per hour speed limit has been adopted in many other urban areas across Europe including cities in, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, not only for safety reasons, but to reduce noise, air pollution and CO2 emissions.

An Garda Síochána continue to support the OPW in all the changes and improvements being undertaken in the Park. While a change in driver behaviour within the Park has been observed with most motorists respecting the lower speed.

In addition, work continues on another of the key recommendations contained in the study published last year; the development of a Parking Strategy for the Phoenix Park. The Parking Strategy will address both vehicular and cycle parking within the boundary of the Phoenix Park, as well as any potential impacts on the immediate surrounding areas. The Strategy will also address the needs of those with mobility issues and their parking requirements. The draft Strategy will be put for public consultation this autumn with a view to finalising it by the end of 2023.

The OPW is committed to improving the experience of all visitors to the Phoenix Park by making it safer for all visitors.