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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 2

Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Vehicle Clamping.

Alan Shatter

Question:

5 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will engage in discussions with Dublin Corporation to bring about an agreement whereby general medical practitioners calling to patients are not impeded by having their vehicles at risk of being clamped. [5357/00]

The issues of parking enforcement and clamping are not matters, either generally or specifically, that fall within my area of responsibility as Minister for Health and Children.

However, given the issue raised by the Deputy, it is important that the matter should be considered in the context of all relevant factors. Accordingly, I am referring the matter to the Eastern Health Board, being the appropriate body for matters relating to service provision in the Dublin area, for its consideration and such follow-up action, as it thinks appropriate, including discussions with Dublin Corporation.

I understand the Irish Medical Organisation raised the matter with Dublin Corporation around the time clamping was introduced and also recently met officials of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. I will liaise with my colleague, the Minister for Environment and Local Government, with a view to resolving any service issues which have arisen.

Would the Minister acknowledge that when medical practitioners have to go out to patients who are seriously ill, it poses a great health danger if their vehicles are at risk of being clamped and as a consequence they are prevented from visiting other patients?

Would the Minister acknowledge also that, to date, despite the best endeavours of the Irish Medical Organisation, neither Dublin Corporation nor the Department of the Environment and Local Government have been receptive to representations made to them? Would he now recognise that this is an urgent health issue across Dublin? Would he seek to ensure that he is not regarded at the "Minister for medical clamping", by taking an initiative to break the bureaucratic logjam which has resulted in each of the different agencies involved failing to address this issue?

It should not be beyond the capacity of Dublin Corporation to resolve this matter. It is a statutory body. We are great at saying we want devolution and regionalisation, but when bodies are established we still want to tell them what to do. Dublin Corporation should resolve this issue. The cars of general practitioners should not be clamped when they call to patients in the Dublin area. The matter has not been raised with the Eastern Health Board. That raises questions about the urgency of the matter. Those concerned should raise this both at Eastern Health Board level and with Dublin Corporation. Notwithstanding that, I cannot see why Dublin Corporation could not bring in something similar to residents' permits for GPs to facilitate them in carrying out their duties.

I understand that there seems to be significant blockage within Dublin Corporation and a strong stance has been taken on the issue because of the fear that it would lead to abuse. However, lest there be any risk to patients, this practice should not continue.

Is the Minister aware that the IMO has proposed to Dublin Corporation that a special disk system be put in place to facilitate medical practitioners? Would the Minister agree that it is time Dublin Corporation addressed this issue, before he has to come back to this House as a consequence of a tragedy befalling some family because somebody loses their life as a consequence of their doctor not getting to their home in time because the corporation has arranged for his or her vehicle to be clamped?

I am aware of the IMO's proposal to Dublin Corporation which I endorse. I appeal to Dublin Corporation to resolve this issue in consultation with the IMO and the people concerned.

That concludes Priority Questions. We will now proceed to Ordinary Questions which are governed by the overall time limit of six minutes, two minutes for the Minister's initial reply and a maximum of one minute for supplementary questions and supplementary replies.

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