Road Closures.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (838)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1019 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the procedures and protocols for a road closure for the purpose of making a film; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread traffic gridlock caused in the Dublin north inner city area at evening peak time on 22 September 2004 due to the fact that Upper Buckingham Street was closed without the permission of Dublin City Council; if Dublin City Council is the appropriate authority for such permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22810/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

Control of temporary road closures is a matter for road authorities. Section 75 of the Roads Act 1993 provides that a road authority may by order close a public road to traffic. The Road Regulations 1994 (SI 119 of 1994) set out the procedure to be followed by a road authority in making such an order. Section 75(2)(d) of the Roads Act 1993 provides that a person who closes a public road without lawful authority, that is, except in accordance with an order by the relevant road authority, is guilty of an offence.

Dublin City Council, which is the relevant road authority in this instance, informs me that a film production company was filming over several nights in adjacent streets with permission, but that no permission was granted or requested for the closure of Upper Buckingham Street by the production company. The council is following up the incident with the production company and considering what further action to take.