Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Given that I live in an area not far from the one in question, I understand the problem. The role of the Department of Transport is the setting and implementation of national transport policy. We do not micromanage issues at local level. I believe very strongly in local authorities managing their own affairs regarding these matters, subject to general policy directions from national Government.

The Department received several requests to allow local councils to address the parking problems and congestion experienced on certain days by residents who reside on public roads in the environs of venues such as sports stadia. The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, took action to address this issue in 2007. As part of the Roads Acts 2007, he progressed an amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1994 providing a by-law making power for road authorities across the country to restrict or prohibit, in the interest of the safety of road users and preventing traffic congestion, the parking of vehicles on public roads in the vicinity of stadia or other venues when sports or entertainment events are being held therein.

A process is already in place with regard to newly constructed stadia whereby the promoters of large stadia, such Lansdowne Road, when seeking planning permission to provide or upgrade a facility, must present both a transport impact assessment and, as has been the case more recently, a mobility management plan, MMP. The MMP sets out the impact of travel generated by the provision of the facility on the surrounding transport network and general area. On submission, it is the job of the relevant local authority to ensure that measures proposed to meet the demand for travel to and from the facility by various modes are implemented.

For those facilities already in existence, such as Croke Park, where the process governing its enhancement did not require the provision of an MMP, it falls on the local authority to implement measures, such as parking controls, in the surrounding area to ensure that amenity and access to that area are maintained and enhanced for residents. This is the basic position and the reply I have to hand outlines additional information.

I remember being on Dublin City Council when councillors were clamouring for power to take steps such as that proposed by the Senator. They got the power and it is up to them to reach agreement locally. If the system is floundering at present, it may be because some people were over-ambitious. It is up to the councillors, through management, to try to address the issues. Councillors from other parts of the north-side or other parts of the city should have a greater understanding of the matter and should be capable of doing their business provided they can reach agreement. It is not the intention of the Department to get involved and micromanage and hold the hands of the councillors. The Department gave them powers under legislation and they should be able to work out the problem.

Additional information on park-and-ride facilities, Iarnród Éireann's work on parking and the DTO study has been circulated. However, what I stated provides the fundamental gist of the answer. I may not have the correct information but believe the councillors who were promoting the proposal were over-ambitious. The area does look very big on the map. I will not pretend to be fully up to date on what is happening but it is up to the councillors to try to do the business. They are all elected members of Dublin City Council and should have a greater understanding of the problem. They are working in the area in question, or the adjoining area, and should be able to solve the problem for themselves using the legislative framework. The ball is in their court.

Councillors are always looking for extra power from various Departments. They have it in this case and therefore one must ask why they cannot do the job. I am sorry I cannot help the Senator.