Vol. 452 No. 3
43 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education, in view of the fact that the volume of cars outside schools has multiplied in recent years, if she will implement a car free zone within a certain radius of schools, in view of the fact that this can be implemented for elections. [5873/95]
The Deputy will appreciate that I have no function in relation to the parking of vehicles on public roads outside schools. This is a matter appropriate to the gardaí operating under regulations made by the Minister for the Environment. Likewise, the introduction of car free zones, for elections or otherwise, is a matter appropriate to the authorities responsible for traffic regulation.
The parking of cars on school property is of course a matter for the school authority concerned.
The Deputy may wish to note that my colleague the Minister for the Environment introduced the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 183 of 1992) which provide, inter alia, for prescribing traffic signs to prohibit vehicles stopping or parking at school entrances.
I am advised that local parking and temporary rules were prepared by the Garda Commissioner to allow for the application of the regulations on an experimental basis in Dublin, Sligo and Louth. Following completion of this initial experiment I understand that the question of making by-laws in respect of each county will be considered by the commissioner.
