Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 197: To ask the Minister for Transport when all disabled parking bays in County Mayo and nationwide will be painted blue as directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37031/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The design and specifications for disabled persons' parking bays are prescribed in the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 1997 — SI 181 of 1997. The regulations provide that a roadway marking consisting of the symbol of a wheelchair user be provided in a disabled person's parking bay and that the symbol and bay markings are white. There are no requirements set down on the colour of the road surface in such bays.

My Department is currently engaged in a consultation process with groups representing the interests of disabled persons who are engaged in the issue of the disabled person's parking permits, the Garda, local authorities and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the regulatory provisions made under the Road Traffic Acts that relate to the operation of disabled person's parking permits and the use of disabled persons' parking bays. The issue of the future designation of disabled persons' parking bays is being considered in the context of that process.