asked the Minister for Local Government whether there are any plans to proceed with the introduction of parking meters in urban areas, as has been done in Dublin; whether he has any information on the cost of this step in the Dublin area; and whether any discussions have taken place with his Department on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Parking Meters.
36.
I am not aware of plans for the introduction of parking meters in any urban area outside Dublin. I understand that Dublin Corporation estimate that the cost of introducing such a scheme in Dublin will be in the region of £125,000. Discussions have taken place between my Department, Dublin Corporation and the Garda on the subject. The matter has also been considered at meetings of a standing committee of officials set up by the City Manager to review traffic proposals in the Dublin area. My Department is represented on this committee, which also includes officials of Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire Corporation, the Garda and CIE.
Is the Minister aware that this method of controlling parking has been abandoned in other countries? I am informed that it is a pretty old-fashioned way of controlling traffic. In view of the great cost involved, would the Department reconsider the proposal to instal parking meters in Dublin? There are cheaper ways of controlling parking and this method has been abandoned in a number of European countries.
No decision appears to have been taken on this matter yet. No proposal has, in fact, come before my Department yet.
Would the Minister not agree that £125,000 is a very expensive price to pay for a mistake, if it turns out to be a mistake, and that we should try to avoid it?
It is a lot of money and the method will be appraised before this occurs.
(Cavan): The Minister is prepared to speculate £100,000 on the referendum.
It will be got back very quickly.