Phoenix Park transport consultation should be extended, says Walsh

Dublin West Labour councillor John Walsh is calling on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to extend the public consultation on the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study which finished on Friday, March 12.

Walsh said that the consultation should be extended to the end of the month and that OPW and Minister of State for the Office of Public Works Patrick O’Donovan are “hiding behind the pandemic forward to drive forward this report.”

Walsh said: ‘An eight week consultation which is fully online and allows for no live interaction between the public and the statutory body in charge of the study is hopelessly inadequate and disrespectful to local communities in Dublin 15,” he said.

“It is deeply disappointing that the OPW has conducted business as usual in the middle of a pandemic and has made no concessions to older residents who may struggle with online consultation rooms or residents who are less socially advantaged and may not have easy access to broadband.

“The Phoenix Park is a priceless national and European treasure and everyone deserves their right to have their say on its future.’

Walsh said that it is “farcicial” that the OPW has offered “no public information events” during the consultation period.

“The reality is that the OPW and Minister O’Donovan are hiding behind the pandemic to drive forward this report.”

A motion proposed Walsh, and councillor Pamela Conroy, was unanimously approved last week by councillors at the local area committee for Blanchardstown, Castleknock and Ongar.

The motion read: “This committee calls upon the CEO to seek an extension in the consultation period for the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study due to the impact of Covid-19 and calls on the OPW to hold a public information session regarding the Mobility Study as a matter of urgency.”

Walsh said: “It is baffling that such a reasonable request supported on a cross party basis by all local councillors was categorically dismissed by the OPW.

“Even at this late stage, I am calling on Minister O’Donovan and the OPW to reconsider and extend the deadline for submissions to this consultation at least to the end of March.

“It is simply not acceptable to hold such a limited and inadequate consultation which does not treat everyone equally.”

OPW has been contacted for comment on the matter.