Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 3

Written Answers. - Parking Fines.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

126 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if a report has been prepared on the efficiency of the collection of parking fines; and the amount of finance generated through such fines over the last three years. [12869/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Fixed penalty notices, commonly known as "on-the-spot fines" or "parking fines" are issued in respect of minor offences under the road traffic Acts and for non-display of a valid motor tax disc.

On-the-spot fines are issued under two separate enactments: under section 103 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 by a garda or an authorised person appointed by the Garda Commissioner, (i.e. a traffic warden); or, under the Local Authorities (Traffic Warden) Act, 1975 by traffic wardens employed by local authorities.

The Garda operate the system on a national basis. Garda-appointed traffic wardens operate in Dublin and Killarney and local authority traffic wardens operate in all other urban areas. That said, the figures for parking fines collected by gardaí or Garda-appointed traffic wardens for the last three years are as follows:

	1992	1993	1994
Outside DMA	248,171	223,016	219,035
DMA	2,605,247	3,263,000	3,391,981
Total	2,852,418	3,486,016	3,611,016

The efficiency of the system, particularly in the Dublin area, has been publicly questioned in recent years. I would point out, however, that the Minister for the Environment recently brought the findings of the Report of the Dublin Transportation Initiative to Government and obtained its agreement in principle tointer alia the appointment by Dublin Corporation of a Director of Traffic to take over responsibility from the Garda for traffic wardens, on-the-spot fines, and towaway services, to introduce wheelclamping and have overall responsibility for traffic management in Dublin city. The transfer of functions will bring Dublin Corporation into line with all the other local authorities.