asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the apparent inadequacy of existing legislation to deal with the grave problem of heavy vehicles being left unattended and unlighted, he will initiate legislation to provide for severe penalties for offences of this nature.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Heavy Vehicle Parking.
39.
Mr. Flanagan
Very detailed requirements with regard to the parking of heavy vehicles at night are provided in the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 to 1970, with penalties ranging from a fine of up to £20 for the first offence to £50 or imprisonment for a term of up to three months or both a fine and imprisonment for the third offence. In addition local bye-laws for the control of parking are made by the Garda Commissioner in consultation with the local authority concerned, to complement the general statutory provisions governing the parking of all vehicles. I do not think the statutory controls on the penalties for their infringement are inadequate.
Is the Minister aware that not only on major trunk roads but also in residential local authority housing schemes these regulations are being broken without any discrimination or consideration regarding the width of the road, and apparently no action is being taken to prevent this and no steps are being taken to provide places where these cars could be put out of danger at night time? Can the Minister do anything about that?
I think the Deputy is trying to shift the blame for something that happened previously on to me. That he cannot do. It is another Minister who is responsible for the enforcement of the traffic laws. If the Deputy or somebody else has evidence that this is happening—I believe it is because accidents have occurred—he should bring the matter to the notice of the Department of Justice without delay. As regards making parking places available, it was never intended that parking space for large-size vehicles should be included in housing schemes and I do not think it should be done now. I agree that if the parking laws in respect of these vehicles are being broken, the evidence should be given to the gardai. The Deputy may be doing a good public service by raising the matter here but unless the evidence is given to the Garda and they are asked to take action I think we will continue to have careless people who will leave unlighted trucks about.
I am not trying to shift blame to the Minister. This matter has been raised with the Minister for Justice by the community association. There may be areas adjacent to these schemes and perhaps through the local authorities the owners or drivers of these trucks could be advised to park there with greater safety than is possible where children are playing in the streets.
That may be a possible development, but it would have to come from the local authorities with whom the initiative rests, and perhaps members of these authorities could suggest that this be done.