Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Fox for her reply. She has been very honest. I hope she will change her position on that. TII carries a fair degree of clout. National policy trickles down from the organisation all the way to local authorities. The days of the Ford Fiesta or Renault Clio reversing into a space and a family of five getting out of it are, unfortunately, gone. Because of stipulations from the Garda and road traffic policy regarding seats for children in the rear of cars, many families now have people carriers. Disabled members of our population have blue badges and designated spaces.

There are parent and toddler designated spaces. However, that probably accounts for less than 10% of overall spaces in any car park in Ireland one can think of. As to the general body of parking spaces, it is impossible for most families to get in and out, get the children into the car and strap them in, and to throw the school bags and the shopping bags in. TII needs to have a position that is more reflective of where cars are at in 2022. We do not all have public transport on our front doorstep, therefore, the local car park is so important to us for being able to get to the school, the shop or wherever. I would love if TII would undertake a new body of work. I know I have thrown this suggestion as a curveball today but could the TII do a new body of work to see if those parking spaces meet the needs of mums, dads and families? I think it needs to be reviewed.