Vol. 532 No. 1
259 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has considered bringing in legislation to deal with the illegal parking of commercial Travellers' caravans, in view of the huge cost it places on local authorities and individual citizens to remove them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6845/01]
The legislative framework through which restrictions and prohibitions may be applied to the parking of vehicles generally on public roads is contained in sections 35 and 36 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994. Regulations made under section 35, entitled the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 and 1998, set out the specific range of controls that apply to the parking of vehicles. Enforcement of these regulations is a matter for the Garda Síochána or local authority appointed traffic wardens. The imposition of prohibitions or restrictions on parking on particular public roads is a matter in the first instance for individual road authorities through the provision of appropriate traffic signs or roadway markings. I have no current proposals for new legislation on this matter.
In addition, section 32 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998, gives powers to local authorities to deal with instances of illegal encampments by Travellers. The administrative procedures to be taken under the Act involves a notice being served by the local authority to remove the temporary dwelling followed by the towing away of the dwelling if there is no response to the notice within a specified period of time.
There are other powers available to local authorities to deal with problems in this area. For example, under the Planning Acts in relation to unauthorised development and under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, in relation to the prohibition of temporary dwellings in certain areas. Local authority powers to make by-laws in relation to the use of temporary dwellings under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948, have been strengthened under the Local Government Act, 1994.
260 Mr. Power asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the approximate amount spent by local authorities in 2000 in legal fees dealing with unauthorised parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6846/01]
The information requested is not available in my Department and is primarily a matter for each local authority.
