Vol. 547 No. 1
779 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to introduce regulations for more prominent marking for parking spaces designated for use by disabled drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2197/02]
The Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 1997 provide for the signing of a disabled persons parking bay. It is an offence for a vehicle to be stopped or parked in a disabled persons parking bay unless a disabled persons parking permit is displayed in the vehicle or it is being parked for the convenience of the person to whom the permit is granted. The signing approach adopted in respect of the disabled persons parking bay is consistent with the general approach adopted both nationally in respect of parking bays that are regulatory in nature and internationally in relation to disabled persons parking bays. The traffic signs manual provides that where a disabled persons parking bay is provided, an information sign depicting a person in a wheelchair should also be provided. I do not propose to alter the current signage arrangement for disabled persons parking bays.
