John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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277. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes that have been made to facilitate coach parking in Dublin near a location (details supplied); if consultation was made with coach businesses when plans for changes were drawn up; the provisions in place to accommodate overnight and weekend parking of coaches; the provisions or alternative parking being made to accommodate coaches elsewhere in view of the fact that the site has been reduced by one third; and if he will reverse the implementation of charges to businesses using the site in view of the fact contracts signed with international businesses and the coach providers prior to this did not take into account these unforeseen outlays and the cost impact on smaller businesses will be significant. [8051/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The provision of the North Wall Coach Park is a matter for the National Transport Authority, NTA, which has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, GDA.

The purpose of providing a new coach park at North Wall was, in part, to address the issue of on-street parking of coaches in the city centre, particularly with regard to the Luas cross-city works and route.

I am advised that further to an application process, a grant of permission with a number of conditions was issued by An Bord Pleanala in May 2016 in which the NTA obtained five year temporary planning permission allowing operation of the coach park from 7 a.m. to 7p.m. Monday to Friday, with occasional use only up to 12.00 a.m. (midnight) and on weekends for special events.

With regards to other facilities for overnight coach parking, this is a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance.

In light of their responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for a direct response.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.