I wish to raise the matter of the parking of heavy vehicles in residential areas. The introduction of regulations to prevent the overnight parking of heavy vehicles in these areas has been a bone of contention at local authority level in Dublin for a number of years. Progress has been painfully slow and the ball has always been thrown back to the local authority. For a couple of years the local authority of which I am a member was told it would have to provide alternative parking spaces before such a regulation could be implemented. It is only because of the persistence of public representatives that the matter has got to this stage. Specific limited areas, mainly roads in industrial estates, have now been designated for parking purposes. It is expected that private entrepreneurs will set up commercial lorry parks on the outskirts of the city and provide parking security, secretarial, telephone and fax services, cafes, etc. I think one such park already exists in the city.
At one time we were told that the delays were partly due to problems with the Attorney General's Office but that problem was solved a year ago. I understand that final approval will come from the Garda Síochána. After I raised the issue with the former Minister for Justice last year progress was made. It appears however, that in the past few months there has been a reversal. A recent letter from the Garda Commissioner's office to the Fine Gael chairman of the traffic committee of Dublin Corporation was similar to the letter issued three to four years ago.
I do not know if this is a problem in Cork city but it is a major problem in Dublin. Neither do I know if the Minister of State's Department is responsible for this matter — I am surprised to see him here — but I would like to see someone take a personal interest in it and try to ensure that progress is made.
