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.