asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken over the past two years to conserve the amenities in Phoenix Park; the extent of new tree plantings; and, particularly, the measures taken to conserve and develop the wild life of the park.

The amenities of Phoenix Park are many and varied and afford a wide range of opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation. The conservation of these amenities is a matter of constant concern for the Commissioners of Public Works in whom the management of the park is vested.

Over the past two years certain features have been receiving special attention.

Despite regular maintenance, the surface of many of the playing pitches has deteriorated seriously in recent years. Some of these pitches have been fenced off, rotavated and reseeded. When these are returned to use further pitches will be dealt with in the same way over the coming years.

The herd of fallow deer is one of the principal attractions of Phoenix Park. The size of the herd was reduced to about 60 animals during the war years but has been increasing steadily since then. It has been decided to maintain the herd at around 300 which is considered an appropriate size having regard to the area of Phoenix Park. To achieve this target a number of deer have been removed from the herd within the past two years.

Apart from the open parkland, the trees of Phoenix Park are perhaps its most important visual feature. While no new trees have been planted during the past two years the park woodlands have been comprehensively surveyed by park personnel and a long-term planting programme is now being prepared with the guidance of a landscape consultant. The first stage of this programme will be undertaken later this year when a collection of native tree species will be planted in a special enclosure near the Furry Glen. An arboricultural supervisor has been appointed to supervise the planting programme and to undertake the care of existing trees which will include tree surgery where appropriate.

To help the public understand, appreciate and respect the natural resources of the park plans have been drawn up for the construction of a small nature centre near the Knockmaroon Gate adjacent to the Furry Glen. The building should be ready in twelve months' time and I hope it will be widely used especially by school groups. A wildlife warden will be available to assist visitors to the centre.

The principal interference with park amenities arises from the ever-increasing volume of car traffic using the park. I will deal in detail with this matter in my reply to Question No. 14 on today's Order Paper.

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