Vol. 369 No. 11
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take immediate action to ensure the removal of offending and dangerous vehicles from the bottom of the North Circular Road, adjacent to O'Connell and St. Canice's schools, Dublin 1, in view of the obvious danger it creates to motorists and cyclists; and if he will take every legal means open to him to ensure that this nuisance is ended as quickly as possible.
68.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will investigate the use of the public roadway at Ellis and Sarsfield Quays, Dublin 7, as a lorry park every night; and if he will take whatever action is necessary to bring this nuisance and danger to an end.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 68 together.
The Road Traffic Acts provide a comprehensive range of parking controls on vehicles generally. Included in these controls is the power to remove vehicles which are either left on a public road in such a position as to cause danger or to obstruct traffic or are abandoned. Responsibility for the enforcement of these controls including the removal of vehicles rests with the Garda Síochána.
Parking in a dangerous position in a public place is specifically controlled by section 55 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended by section 52 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968. In addition, road traffic general by-laws prescribe general rules for the parking of vehicles on a national basis. Under these by-laws, a person parking a vehicle must, among other things, ensure that the vehicle is not likely to cause inconvenience, obstruct or endanger other traffic or obstruct the view of other road users at or near road junctions, corners or bends. In addition, these by-laws also prohibit parking in such a manner so as to interfere with normal traffic flow.
Parking controls are also provided for in local traffic and parking by-laws and temporary rules made by the Garda Commissioner with my consent. These by-laws and rules provide for the implementation of a wide range of local parking controls such as clearways and double and single yellow lines etc. In June 1986, traffic and parking by-laws were made in respect of each county in the country.
While the above controls apply to all categories of vehicles, the question of the introduction of special measures to control the parking of large vehicles is at present under consideration. I understand that in recent weeks specific proposals were being developed by the Garda in consultation with Dublin Corporation with a view to the introduction of appropriate controls in the Dublin area on a pilot basis for a limited period. In view of the fact that section 33 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act, 1986, came into operation on 12 November 1986, the proposals will now be a matter for consideration by the Dublin Transport Authority.
