Vol. 475 No. 4
154 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will intervene with the relevant bodies to ensure that privately owned commercial buses have the same parking facilities in Galway, Dublin and elsewhere as are available to semi-State owned buses, taxis and hackneys; the arrangements, if any, he proposes to put in place in this regard; the date on which such arrangements will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4969/97]
The Road Traffic Acts provide that stopping places and stands for omnibuses, i.e. buses operating on a definite route, may be designated by the Garda Commissioner and that the commissioner may make by-laws for the control and use of such facilities. The Acts also provide that the commissioner may make by-laws designating appointed stands to facilitate taxis standing for hire in a taximeter area. The facilities afforded to scheduled bus services and taxis apply only in the context of the provision of services by such vehicles; facilities for parking purposes are not provided.
Regulations for the general control of traffic and parking which I will make under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994 will facilitate the provision by local authorities of parking spaces for buses, other than omnibuses, subject to appropriate time limitations.
