asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a request from Galway Corporation to sanction the appointment of traffic wardens for Galway City; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
14.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic Wardens.
13.
asked the Minister for Local Government when legislation will be introduced to transfer the responsibility for providing traffic wardens from the Department of Justice to the Department of Local Government.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
The consideration of legislative proposals to enable local authorities to appoint traffic wardens is now at an advanced stage. When a firm decision is taken on these proposals, I shall get in touch with local authorities, including Galway Corporation, who may be interested in appointing wardens. At present the appointment of wardens is a function of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, under the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 and 1968.
When the legislation is passed will it then be a function of the Department of Local Government?
There is a suggestion that this kind of provision will be included in the legislation.
What prompted this question of mine was that for security reasons there should be one-way streets in Monaghan town and it would be essential that there would be wardens to control the traffic, with a limited amount of parking.
That would be a different matter. I understood what the Deputy was talking about was traffic wardens, but the Deputy was talking about getting somebody to act as traffic policemen.
No. A warden to control the traffic.
That would be a policeman, if he was in control of directing traffic.
No. It is in relation to parking facilities for shoppers, that there would be meters.
We cannot have an argument on the matter.
To make people move?
Yes.
Could I ask the Minister to clarify whether he stated to a deputation to which he spoke in Galway that there was no problem and that they could go ahead and appoint traffic wardens as far as he was concerned.
What I said to the deputation in Galway was that the initiative rested with the local authorities. At that time there was no question of raising the matter with me. It would have to be cleared by the Garda authorities and I had no function in it. As far as I was concerned—perhaps Deputy Molloy has also misunderstood—I was not preventing them from appointing traffic wardens, as seemed to be inferred by the deputation. As I said, I had no function in the matter. I could not do that.
Arising out of the reply the Minister gave today it is clear they do not have the authority to appoint traffic wardens.
The Garda Síochána have the function of appointing them, but there is nothing to stop the local authority from approaching the Garda Commissioner with a view to having traffic wardens appointed.
What changes will be brought about by the legislation the Minister proposes?
That is a separate question.
I should not need to tell Deputy Molloy that, because it was being worked on in 1971 when he was Minister for Local Government.
That is why I am so surprised that 18 months have passed and it has not been brought in.
It is not 18 months. In the 14 months from January, 1971 to 1973 when we took over, nothing had been done by Deputy Molloy. It was, as usual, on one of his shelves collecting dust. I have done a lot since and I have been trying to bring it up to date. It is now almost ready.
How much up to date has the Minister brought it and when can we expect the legislation?
Legislation will be introduced some time this year.
(Interruptions.)
Please avoid disorder on the termination of questions.