Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 292: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of parking fines issued in Dublin in each of the past five years for which figures are available; the number of unpaid parking fines in Dublin in each of these years; and the number of unpaid fines in each of these years where the vehicle was foreign registered. [28873/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of parking fines issued by Gardaí and Traffic Wardens employed by the Garda Commissioner in the Dublin Metropolitan Region for the years 2001 to 2005 is set out in table 1 and the number of unpaid parking fines is set out in Table 2.

I am also informed that statistics are not compiled in such a way as to identify unpaid fines for foreign registered vehicles and do not include parking fines issued by Traffic Wardens and other personnel employed by local authorities. It should be noted that under road traffic legislation, if an individual does not wish to pay on foot of a fine on the spot/fixed charge notice, that person has the right to allow his/her case to be proceeded with in the Courts and may defend it there accordingly.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 293: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures in place to ensure fines for road traffic offences issued to non-residents are paid; and the Garda activity levels in this regard. [28874/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that legislation providing for the issue of fixed charge notices requires that motorists detected for committing offences be issued with a fixed charge notice, irrespective of their residency status. The legislation also provides that in the event that the individual fails to pay the fixed charge within the prescribed time frame a prosecution can be initiated.

I am also informed that while the responsibility to pay a fixed charge rests with the recipient of the notice An Garda Síochána has taken significant steps to provide convenient accessible payment facilities to those wishing to pay. An Post has been engaged and is providing over the counter payment facility at almost 1,000 Post Offices nationwide while a postal payment option is also being operated through BillPost.