Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is open to local authorities to provide by-laws for the introduction of a preferential parking scheme, permit or otherwise, for traders and their staff at spaces in front of shops and other outlets. [13535/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The legislative framework through which restrictions and prohibitions may be applied to traffic and parking of vehicles on public roads is contained in sections 35 and 36 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994. Section 35 empowers me to make regulations for the control of traffic and parking while section 36 provides for the making of bye-laws by road authorities in relation to paid parking. The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997 to 2005, made under Section 35 of the 1994 Act, set out the specific range of controls which apply to the parking of vehicles.

In the case of paid parking schemes, it is open to road authorities to provide for residents parking permits which can provide an exemption for holders from the need to pay for parking on roads where they live. There is no legal provision permitting road authorities to provide for a preferential parking scheme to 'reserve' a specified space on the public road for traders and their staff at spaces in front of shops and other outlets. Such a provision could be seen to give proprietorial rights to parking in a specified location on specified public roads and there are no proposals to change this situation.