129 Mr. Stafford asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow Bus Átha Cliath to enter the Phoenix Park so as to service St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, Dublin, as owing to the nature of the hospital, many of the visitors are elderly and find the present arrangement of climbing 99 steps and walking up a steep incline very difficult.

The Commissioners of Public Works gave approval in 1980 to the introduction of a bus service to St. Mary's Hospital, Phoenix Park, via the Chapelizod gate. For reasons of road engineering it is necessary to restrict the service to a light vehicle such as the "Nipper"/Localink type of bus.

In August 1990, following representations from the Hospital management, the approval given in 1980 was reaffirmed.