Yes to an Inclusive, Sustainable Future for the Phoenix Park

No to a "return to normal" in the Phoenix Park!

I think now is the time to agree what type of park we want. Next Monday May 18th the park will partially open to cars again with plans for a full re-opening to general traffic on June 8th.

Tonight I've written to the Minister responsible for the OPW to ask for a civic engagement to be held between the OPW and the communities adjacent to the park and other park users to discuss and agree future access to the park.

I understand why some want cars to be banned indefinitely.

But I think that would only exclude large swathes of people- some of the elderly, those with injuries or physical impediments and those with other conditions to name but a few.

The other issue with a full car ban is that parking is re-located to the roads immediately outside the park, which then infringes on local communities.

I also don't think it is enough to just ban the rat run through Chesterfield Avenue in the Park. There are 8 vehicular entrances and many of those access points have become safe access havens for cyclists and pedestrians in recent weeks. I'd like to see some of them remain closed to general traffic.

Link to my statement: https://www.labour.ie/.../re-think-needed-on-the-return.../