Vol. 471 No. 5
42 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to upgrade and confer more authority on traffic wardens; if his attention has been drawn to the desire of many traffic wardens for additional responsibilities in tackling the ever increasing traffic gridlock problem confronting Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20289/96]
Traffic wardens are empowered to issue "on-the-spot fine" notices in a range of offences which are determined in regulations made under section 103 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 and section 3 of the Local Government (Traffic Wardens) Act, 1975. The notices relate primarily to parking offences and non-display of vehicle tax.
There are no proposals at present to extend the range of offences in respect of which traffic wardens may issue "on-the-spot-fine" notices. The matter will be kept under review, however, in the context of the transfer of the administration of the traffic warden service to Dublin from the Garda to Dublin Corporation; this will follow the appointment of a director of traffic on which urgent action is planned.
