Vol. 251 No. 8
asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a report that certain traffic wardens will be supplied with keys and empowered to drive illegally parked cars to a central storage area; whether this power is being given to traffic wardens under regulations made by him; and, if so, what they are.
54.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, in connection with a report that certain traffic wardens in Dublin will be supplied with keys and empowered to drive away illegally parked cars, he will state whether such wardens will be properly licensed to drive heavy commercial vehicles and public service vehicles such as buses.
55.
asked the Minister for Local Government if, in connection with a report that certain traffic wardens will be supplied with keys and empowered to drive away illegally parked cars, he will state whether wardens driving cars in such circumstances will be adequately covered by insurance.
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 53, 54 and 55 together.
I have seen the newspaper report to which the Deputy refers. Article 4 of the Road Traffic (Removal, Storage and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations, 1971, empowers a member of the Garda Síochána, or a person appointed for the purpose by a road authority after consultation with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, to remove and store an unlawfully parked vehicle. The article empowers the member or person to take such steps, including the making of an agreement with any person, as he thinks fit for the removal and storage. I understand that in Dublin County Borough, Dublin Corporation will be undertaking the removal of unlawfully parked vehicles. The particular method of removal, whether "tow-away" or "drive away", the persons to be assigned to it, as well as the question of insurance and of the licensing of drivers are, therefore, matters for the corporation. I am satisfied that they are aware of their obligations in these respects.
Is the Minister aware that only yesterday evening it was reported in the Evening Press that certain wardens would be empowered to drive away illegally parked vehicles? It did not say how they were to be empowered. Can the Minister say if they are to be empowered as a result of permission given by him, or who gives them the power to drive away vehicles which are illegally parked? Can he say if these people will have to be qualified to drive heavy commercial vehicles? Is he satisfied—and it is very important he should be fully satisfied— that these people are fully covered by insurance?
I am satisfied that all these matters will be covered adequately.
The Minister did not say whether they will be covered as a result of powers granted by him or by Dublin Corporation. Who gives the power?
Who gives the power to remove the cars?
To these people to drive the cars. That is asked in the question.
The powers are contained in regulations which I made on 13th January.
Then it is the Minister who gives this power? The Minister can give power to a person who does not undergo a test to drive a heavy commercial vehicle?
No.
The Minister is free to grant him the power——
No.
This matter cannot be debated.
The Deputy has taken the matter up wrongly. I did not say a person could drive heavy vehicles without having the appropriate licence. I said the people employed to do work of that nature will be fully qualified and will hold a proper licence. They will be trained.
They will hold a proper licence to drive a heavy vehicle?
Yes, they will hold a proper licence and be covered by insurance.
And no other person——
They will be trained in advance to drive such vehicles. They will go through a special training course.
They will be fully qualified?
Yes.
Otherwise they would not be allowed——
No. 56. Would the Deputy allow questions to proceed?
