Departmental Funding
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-12
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Kevin Boxer Moran (IND), Longford-Westmeath

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the OPW and Dublin Zoo in 2025. Payments are made only after the zoo submits its vouched invoices and its works are approved. This ensures compliance with the public grant rules.
On the Deputy's last question, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, is responsible for the licensed inspection of the zoo and the oversight of an annual inspection of Dublin Zoo. Inspections are carried out by an independent multidisciplinary team with specialist expertise.
Not a week goes by that the Deputy is not standing outside the zoo with a phone. Does she ever go in? Has she ever gone in to see the good work the zoo does and that the staff do? I visited the zoo on the basis of some of the things that have been said in this House. The workers in the zoo treat all the animals with the height of respect and dignity. The zoo is essential to the people of Dublin and Ireland. I work closely with my colleague beside me, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and other Deputies in the House in relation to Phoenix Park. I have control over the work that goes on. Dublin Zoo is a place I visit on a regular basis and I cannot but praise the people in Dublin Zoo for the work they do.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-12/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-12