Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Garda Equipment.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

307 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda tow trucks in the greater Dublin area; the number in operation on a daily basis to remove illegally parked vehicles from clearways; the number of vehicles that can be removed during the rush hour in view of the distance to be travelled with each vehicle back to the pound and then returning to collect other illegal vehicles in the same area through rush hour traffic; her views on whether greater efficiency and effectiveness would result in lifting these vehicles to the nearest point away from the main road and clamping them in that location, where they would no longer form an obstacle to the free flow of traffic until the owner had paid the appropriate fine; if she will consider privatising this aspect of traffic management to ensure that the arterial routes into and out of Dublin are kept clear for commuters travelling into and out of the main cities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7902/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are six tow wagons attached to the Garda traffic department of which five are assigned to removing illegally parked vehicles. Two wagons are currently out of service due to mechanical faults.

An average of 35 vehicles are impounded per day.

I am also informed that it is not Garda policy, for operational reasons, to remove vehicles from main roads to side streets.

There are presently no regulations in force for clamping illegally parked vehicles. The provision of such regulations is a matter for the Department of the Environment who are responsible for all road traffic regulations.

The Government agreed in principle on 25 July, 1995 to accept the recommendations of the Minister for the Environment on the Dublin Transport Initiative, and to, inter alia, the appointment by Dublin Corporation of a Director of Traffic to take over responsibility from the gardaí for the traffic warden service, on the spot fines and tow away service, to introduce wheelclamping and have overall responsibility for traffic management in Dublin city.

I understand that Dublin Corporation have recently appointed the Director of Traffic.