Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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28. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether he would advance the concept of an enclosed off-leash area for dogs in the Phoenix Park, close to the Ashtown Gate or the Hole in the Wall pedestrian gate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38177/25]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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While the Office of Public Works recognises the importance of the Phoenix Park for dog owners , there are no plans to introduce an enclosed designated dog-friendly park as the Phoenix Park is primarily a historic designed landscape.

The OPW welcomes dogs on a lead accompanied by responsible owners across the vast majority of the Phoenix Park except for a small number of areas with restrictions, such as the children’s playground and the Victorian Walled Garden. The OPW Code of Conduct on dogs outlines this fully and can be accessed on the website for the Phoenix Park.

The Park is home to 600 wild fallow deer and is a highly important site for biodiversity in Dublin City. It supports 50% of the mammal species found in Ireland and about 35% of bird species. Some of these species – especially ground nesting birds and deer – are very sensitive to disturbance by dogs, so need to be under the adequate control of their dogs.