John Gormley
Ceist:490 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, for the traffic warden service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10007/99]
Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic Management.
The Government, on 26 July 1995, accepted the recommendations submitted by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in regard to the Dublin Transportation Initiative plan for Dublin. This plan recommended, among other traffic management initiatives, the appointment of a director of traffic by Dublin Corporation to take over responsibility from the Garda Commissioner for traffic wardens, on the spot fines and tow-away services, introduce wheel clamping and have overall responsibility for traffic management in Dublin city. I should state that the transfer of the traffic wardens to Dublin Corporation will bring the Dublin Metropolitan Area into line with the rest of the State where local authorities employ traffic wardens under the Local Government (Traffic Wardens) Act, 1975.
The progress on the implementation of the Government decision is as follows.
The director of traffic was appointed by Dublin Corporation in April 1997.
Wheel clamping was introduced in the summer of 1998 and Dublin Corporation took over responsibility for the tow-away service in September 1998.
Prolonged and intensive negotiations between my Department, the Department of Finance, Dublin Corporation and the unions representing the traffic wardens have taken place. Earlier this month all 146 traffic wardens in the greater Dublin area were notified by the Garda Commissioner that they will transfer to Dublin Corporation on 29 April 1999, thus implementing the Government decision in so far as the traffic services are concerned.