Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 7

Written Answers. - Parking Fines.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

189 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if, having regard to the substantial impediments to the free flow of traffic which are caused by illegal parking, he is prepared to alter the system of parking fines, which are now computerised, so as to provide for a sliding fine rate to discourage the persistent and habitual offender with the doubling or trebling of the fine for a person who has more than five or ten parking fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

The penalty to be imposed for a parking offence is a matter for the particular court acting within the limits of the maximum penalties provided for in section 102 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended by section 2 of the Road Traffic Act, 1984.

The maximum penalty for a first offence is a fine of £150. For a second or subsequent offence the maximum fine is £350. If, however, in any period of 12 consecutive months, a third or subsequent offence occurs, a period of imprisonment, not exceeding three months, may be imposed in addition to, or as an alternative to, a maximum fine.

The level of maximum penalties provided for in the Road Traffic Acts generally is being considered in the context of a review of those Acts being carried out by my Department.

It would be impracticable to apply a sliding scale of on-the-spot fines.