Vol. 542 No. 2
458 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the number of cars towed away on the dates of the all-Ireland football and hurling semi-finals and finals in the vicinity of Croke Park, including the Parnell Square area; the number of cars generally and the number of cars with Galway registration plates involved on the dates in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23992/01]
I am informed by the Garda that over the six Sundays referred to by the Deputy a total of 32 cars were towed to the Garda pound and of these there were five with Galway registrations. The reasons cars were towed by the Garda Síochána on the dates in question were for infringements of the parking by-laws. The most common offences were blocking residential driveways, parking on footpaths, parking on corners, parking in wheelchair space, parking between Garda no-parking cones and blocking fire exits.
As outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 431 of 9 October 2001 the Office of the Director of Traffic, Dublin Corporation, also has powers under the traffic laws to tow away vehicles as well as to clamp vehicles for infringements of the traffic and parking legislation.
