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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1992

Vol. 421 No. 4

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Standard Parking Discs.

Ivan Yates

Question:

21 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any proposals in conjunction with local authorities throughout the country with particular reference to municipal authorities to introduce a standard parking disc or ticket nationally that can be interchangeable for motorists parking anywhere in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Parking disc systems operate under traffic and parking by-laws made under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, by the Garda Commissioner, following consultation with local authorities and with the consent of the Minister for the Environment. Separate by-laws apply in each local authority area and the level of charge in each case is determined by the local authority on the basis of relevant local considerations.

The introduction of an amendment to the by-laws to introduce a standard parking disc system is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the first instance. While any change of this nature would be convenient for motorists, full account would also have to be taken of the impact on local revenues and local discretion, and on the effectiveness of parking controls in different areas.

Is the Minister aware that there is no inter-change when a motorist moves from one municipal authority's jurisdiction to another in relation to parking discs? This adds greatly to the problems of commercial representatives and tourists; if someone buys a book of tickets in Cork it would make sense to be able to use it in Waterford, Enniscorthy, Dublin or any city. When the Minister attends the annual conference of municipal authorities, will he announce proposals to have an inter-exchangeability of such tickets?

There certainly is an attraction in the idea of a national disc system. However, we are now endeavouring to move further down the road of allowing local authorities further discretion in their actions in areas like this. It is primarily a matter for the Garda Commissioner and one could visualise circumstances in which small local authorities would lose out in favour of larger authorities. There is room for improvement and, to the extent that I can have discussions with municipal authorities about matters like this, I undertake to do so. However, in the final analysis, it is very much a matter for local consideration.

I do not agree with the Minister and I ask him to reconsider this matter. It is a question of local authority revenue and as revenues are directly inter-linked with those of the Minister's Department, it should be possible to have some inter-exchangeability. Will he at least ensure that where there are four or five different discs in the same county — where there are different town councils — one ticket will be valid in each jurisdiction?

I have indicated that I see a certain appeal in that kind of system but I am reluctant to become further involved in matters which should be decided by local authorities. I am in the process of delivering to local authorities a range of functions which, hitherto, had been the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. I am reluctant to become further involved in matters which relate to local administration.

That disposes of questions for today.

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