At the May meeting of South Dublin County Council, one Independent County Councillor Alan Hayes, who represents Palmerstown, Lucan and North Clondalkin has welcomed some of the changes brought about due to elected members doing what they are elected to do, representing their constituents. He has particularly welcomed the inclusion of 30 minutes free parking, no increase in permit rates for residents and allowing resident permits to be used on the Old Lucan Road in Palmerstown Village. Councillor Hayes said, “The parking meter system in the County pays for itself, it was never designed to generate a profit and it is there to ensure an equity of use in public parking spaces throughout the county by ensuring that people don’t park all day and take the bus to town but also to ensure that small businesses can still attract customers, something that is increasingly difficult with free parking in large shopping centres.”
Councillor Hayes tabled two amendments to the draft plan that was presented by council management. One to ensure that no increase in parking permits was lumped on residents and to ensure that residents permits could be used on the main street in Palmerstown instead of the Council plan that would have seen only pay and display and commercial permits being allowed. Councillor Hayes said,
“There is a balance to be struck between the needs of residents and those of businesses. Many of the older houses have no driveways and no space for them either, so to deny those residents, some of whose families are here over a hundred years, the chance to park near their own home would be disproportionate and unnecessary. It is enough to drive you around the bend”
“The original council proposal was to increase the cost of a resident permit from €20 to €60, the council halved that to €30 and ultimately approved no increase at all on foot of my motion to retain the existing permit rate. This about turn demonstrates the importance of the public taking part in consultations being held by the council and contacting their local councillors to lobby their positions”
