asked the Minister for Local Government whether any legislation exists at present to prevent the abandoning of derelict vehicles on public roads ; and if, in view of the eyesores caused by these abandoned vehicles and of the comments made on the subject by the judges of the recent tidy towns competition, he will take steps to deal with this problem and to prevent the abandonment of these vehicles in future.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Abandoned Vehicles.
2.
Section 55 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, prohibits dangerous parking of vehicles in public places. Section 98 of the Act prohibits obstruction to traffic in public places. Section 97 of the Act provides that, where a vehicle is left on a public road in such a position as to cause or to be likely to cause danger or obstruction to traffic or is abandoned on a public road, a member of the Garda Síochána may himself remove the vehicle or cause any other person to remove it and may arrange for the storage of the vehicle. Further provisions to deal with this problem will be contained in the Road Traffic Bill, 1966, which I hope to have circulated in the present session.
I am afraid I did not draft the question properly. I appreciate the Minister has power to act when a car is abandoned on a public road, but the problem which is arising more frequently is the abandonment of cars on a grass margin or some other place which may be private property. Has the Minister power to deal with that?
It might be as well to put down a question on those specific lines and I shall try to give a more comprehensive reply.
Offhand, does the Minister think that he or the local authorities have any power to do anything?
They have.
They do not use it very often.
Very often powers are available to a local authority but, for one reason or another, they are not disposed to use them.
The Minister is aware of the problem?
I am.
Mr. O'Leary
The Minister may not be aware of this case—I am sure he is aware of other similar cases—in one church in my constituency, a car has been abandoned for the past two months outside the mortuary door. It is pretty tough on anybody coming out that door to have the ceremonies impeded. At present the police are involved in an investigation. The main irritation in these cases is the period that must elapse while the police are investigating before the car is removed.
Is it private property?
Mr. O'Leary
No, the public street just outside the church gate.
As I have stated in reply to Deputy Corish, the Garda need not necessarily leave that car there all the time while they are investigating.
Mr. O'Leary
They can remove it right away?
If it is on the public roadway, yes.