10 March 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cllr Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has welcomed Cork County Council’s passing of a Pay Parking Policy, stating that it gives discretion to locally elected Councillors, and could allow for the impasse regarding pay parking in Douglas to be brought to an end.
“This is an important step, and I believe finally allows us to progress the ongoing issue with Douglas. provided Cllrs from the Locality support the proposal to vary the pay parking regime. We can now, I would hope, move towards a regime of one hour free pay parking, and I will be placing a motion to advance that at the next Municipal District meeting. Further delays cannot be entertained.”
“Without the policy, Local Cllrs would essentially be restricted by Corporate Policy Group, and any proposals would involve a complicated mechanism. The fear would be that some parking regimes, would be set in aspic, even where unwanted by Local Cllrs. I believe we have avoided that today.”
“Crucially also means that no Municipal District can be obliged to vary their pay Parking regime, which means that Cork County Council cannot decide to implement pay parking in Ballincollig or Carrigaline – it has to be decided by the ten Local Cllrs. I certainly would not support that, and I would be surprised if any other Councillors did. The status quo will remain in both Carrigaline and Ballincollig, as long as Local Cllrs back that.”
Cllr Ó Laoghaire also welcomed the fact that two amendments in his own name were included in the policy.
“I am a big believer in free Pay Parking promotions at Christmas, I think it can really help promote local business, and keep people in the towns, villages and urban areas where there is pay parking. So I was pleased that it was agreed to allow for on street, as well as off street, parking promotions. This is particularly important for areas such as Douglas.
“I also welcome the fact that it was agreed not to totally rule out parking permits for Apartment dwellers. It was important to allow for exceptional circumstances.”