Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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164. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether he is aware that An Garda Síochána are using the ambiguity in law of the speed limits in the Phoenix Park as a reason not to prosecute reports of other traffic offences such as dangerous driving and overtaking on a continuous white line in the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20243/24]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Following an extensive public consultation process, the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published in 2021 which included a number of key recommendations including a reduction of the speed limit in the Park from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.

The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety. 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. Dublin City Council also implemented a 30 kilometres per hour speed limit for large parts of the city in 2020, including in the areas immediately outside the Park Gate Street entrance to the Phoenix Park.

The OPW and An Garda Siochána have a close working relationship when it comes to the Phoenix Park given its vast scale and importance. The Phoenix Park is a regular venue for large, often historic, events and state visits which requires close collaboration with An Garda Siochána. An Garda Siochána continues to work with the OPW in relation to all aspects of the management and operation of the Phoenix Park, including traffic management, and share the OPW’s mission to make the Park as safe a place as possible for the millions of visitors who enter the park each year. The lower speed limit of 30km p/h was introduced with public safety in mind. Since its introduction, there has been an overall reduction of speeds within the Park with a change in driver behaviour which in turn has made the Park a safer place for all visitors.

It is important to note that under Section 5(k) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, dangerous driving (including speed) in any place, not just public, is an offence and, on conviction, a person is liable to a class A fine and/or a term of imprisonment for up to 6 months. If a person is convicted of dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm, they can be fined up to €20,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.

The OPW does not hold information on any enforcement actions by An Garda Siochána and are therefore unable to provide such.