asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends bringing forward legislation to deal with parked, unattended vehicles, such as trailer units and rubbish skips on roadways within the 30 miles per hour limit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Illegal Parking Legislation.
5.
The parking of vehicles generally on public roads is subject to various prohibitions and restrictions imposed directly by the Road Traffic Acts, by general road traffic regulations (i.e. the general rules of the road) made by me under those Acts and by local traffic and parking by-laws or temporary rules made by the Garda Commissioner with my consent under these Acts.
Included in these controls is the power to remove vehicles which are either left on a public road in such a position as to cause danger or to obstruct traffic or are abandoned. All local traffic and parking by-laws in force at present include a requirement that a container such as a refuse skip cannot be left on a roadway or on a footway during lighting up hours unless it is so lighted as to be clearly visible and does not cause danger to road users on a clearway during clearway hours. The enforcement of the Acts and of regulations, by-laws or temporary rules made under them is a matter for the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána.
While existing parking controls provided under the Road Traffic Acts apply to all categories of vehicles, the question of the introduction of special measures to deal with the parking of large vehicles is at present under consideration.
I understand that a survey of the extent of parking by large vehicles carried out by Dublin Corporation, with the assistance of the gardaí, is nearing completion. A report on the survey indicating, inter alia, alternative parking facilities which may be made available for the use of large vehicles will be prepared by the corporation in the near future. Proposals are being developed by the Garda in consultation with the corporation with a view to the introduction of appropriate controls in Dublin on a pilot basis (by way of temporary rules made by the Garda Commissioner with my consent). The extension of such controls to the country as a whole would be considered in the light of the Dublin pilot scheme.
A comprehensive review of the Road Traffic Acts is being undertaken in my Department for the purpose of amending and updating the existing legislation, where necessary.
Because skips are frequently left in unlit and potentially dangerous locations, would the Minister consider under existing legislation making it mandatory for all skips to have reflective strips painted on their sides?
I am aware of accidents that occurred because skips were left in awkward spots in unlit locations. The Deputy's idea is a good one and I will certainly consider it.