asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (1) the method of appointment of car-park attendants in the city; (2) by whom they are appointed; (3) the responsibilities of these attendants, and (4) if they are subject to any official control in the exercise of their duties; and, if so, by whom and in what manner; and, further, if he has satisfied himself that any useful purpose is being served by the continuance of this system in view of the grave public dissatisfaction which is felt over the operation of this system, and if he will take steps to allay this dissatisfaction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Park Attendants.
Car-park attendants exercise their calling by virtue of licences granted by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána under powers conferred by Section 17 of the DublinTraffic Act, 1875. Persons wishing to be licensed apply to the commissioner and their names are then placed on a register of applicants if they are persons of good character and vacancies, as they arise, are filled from the register of applicants. Licences are subject to suspension or revocation if, in the opinion of the commissioner, the licensee has been guilty of misconduct or incivility in the exercise of his calling or inefficiency in the discharge of his duties which are to assist motorists in the parking of cars, to safeguard parked cars and any property left in them against damage or theft and to ensure that cars are parked in such a way that as many cars as possible may be put in a car park.
I am advised that it is doubtful whether the relevant provisions of the Dublin Traffic Act, 1875, have still the force of law in view of the provisions of Sections 13 and 151 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933, and I am having this point and the matter generally looked into.