asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed the replace the gates to the Phoenix Park, Dublin, at North Circular Road, Cabra, Castleknock and Island Bridge.

Work is at present in progress on the replacement of the gate at the North Circular Road entrance to the Phoenix Park. On completion of this, work on the replacement of the gates at Cabra and Castleknock will be undertaken and, weather permitting, it is expected that this will be completed by the end of March. All other gates to the park have now been replaced.

(Cavan-Monaghan): In reply to a supplementary question here recently I understood a Minister to say that it was not proposed to replace the Castleknock gate. Is the Minister certain that it is proposed to replace the Castleknock gate?

Yes, it is.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Might I ask the Minister of State to have a word with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Education about this matter. Is the Minister of State aware that when it was announced here some months ago that it was proposed to close this gate at 7 o'clock in the evening those two Ministers felt very strongly that it should not be closed? Would the Minister please look into this?

Certainly, I will.

Is it possible that we might have a gate there that would never be closed?

All the gates to the Phoenix Park, with the exception of the Knockmaroon gate, were temporarily removed to facilitate the large attendance for the Papal Mass in September 1979. In certain instances this involved the widening of entrances by the removal of the gate piers together with the iron railings adjacent thereto.

(Cavan-Monaghan): But I am asking the Minister to make special inquiries about the Castleknock gate.

I will do that.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Especially as to whether or not there is any intention to close it at 7 o'clock in the evening, because that would be most inconvenient.

I will communicate with the Deputy.