asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will bring in legislation to compel companies renting houses, which have no provision for car parking, to allow their tenants to park cars in the front gardens in view of the fire hazard and traffic hazard resulting from congestion due to parking in narrow roadways.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parking of Cars in Gardens.
13.
I am having the problem posed by the Deputy examined in my Department, but I am not certain that the introduction of legislation on the lines suggested by the Deputy is feasible. In the case of existing houses it might be best for the tenants affected to make further efforts to reach agreement with the owners concerned to eliminate the hazards which result from their present policy, making use, if necessary, of the good offices of the local authorities in whose areas the houses are situated. The long-term solution would appear to be for planning authorities to ensure that parking space is provided when plans for new housing development are being submitted by developers for approval.
Is the Minister aware that the tenants in this area have been served with notices to quit by the company owning the houses when they have parked their cars in their garden in order to obviate traffic and fire hazards? Is the Minister aware that some time ago an ambulance could not be taken to a sick person in Mangerton Road area because of the traffic congestion and that that sick person had to be carried a considerable distance to the ambulance? Is the Minister aware that there is a serious traffic hazard and fire hazard in existence in relation to Cooley Road, Galtymore Road and Brandon Road?
This situation can best be handled by the local authority and I suggest their good offices be utilised to ensure a more social attitude on the part of the owners concerned.
Is the Minister aware that the company owning these houses, Associated Properties Limited, has consistently served notice to quit on these tenants who have tried to relieve the traffic and fire hazards by parking their cars in their gardens?
I suggest that the local authority be made aware of the position and I am sure they will be able to deal with it and make the company concerned act in a more responsible way.
You cannot get your own Minister to deal with it.
Deputy Dowling can be assured of my full co-operation in any proposal the local authority may make to deal with this problem.