I propose to takes Questions Nos. 634 and 637 together.
Under the Traffic and Parking Regulations, partial parking of vehicles on pavements is currently not permitted.
In June 2014, following representations on the issue, my predecessor indicated that he would ask the National Transport Authority (NTA) to examine the issue further and to consider the possibility of introducing a pilot scheme for partial parking on pavements.
The NTA has recently responded and has indicated that, after extensive consideration of the request and consultation with local authorities and informally with An Garda Síochána, the introduction of permitted parking on footpaths is "highly undesirable and problematic". The key concerns arising from permitting any partial parking of vehicles on pavements are that footpaths are intended to provide a safe route for pedestrians and to segregate them from other road users, thereby enhancing road safety and protecting the most vulnerable of our road users, including children, the impaired and the elderly. Furthermore, footpaths are not designed or constructed to take the weight of cars or heavier goods vehicles. Allowing footpaths to be so used for parking will lead to more rapid deterioration of the footpath surface, further increasing maintenance costs and providing greater trip hazards for pedestrians.
The safety of all road users must be at the core of traffic and parking regulations. In light of all the evidence, I am of the view that safety considerations for pedestrians outweigh any benefits from the proposal to allow partial parking on footpaths in any circumstances and I have no plan to change the Traffic and Parking Regulations to allow for this.