A motion calling for the removal of all-day parking at Clontarf Promenade Park carpark was passed unanimously by Dublin City Councillors at a North Central Area Committee meeting earlier this month.
Damian O’Farrell, Independent councillor for the are who tabled the motion, says that all-day parking at the park was introduced by council management without the approval of the area representatives.
“Initially, there was free car parking at this location which is utilised by park users, strollers, joggers, dog walkers and customers of local businesses opposite etc,” O’Farrell said.
“However, there were significant problems due to all day parking and during in 2011, short term paid parking in this car park was agreed by local councillors.
“This was on foot of a recommendation by DCC to prevent this ‘all day’ parking which was blocking use of this space for the purpose it was intended.
“The recent introduction of €6 all day parking by DCC without any local area committee consultation is both a contradiction to the previous recommendation by DCC and a change in policy as regards the use of DCC’s public park carparks.
“The move will cause serious disruption to park users and local businesses as was the case previously.”
O’Farrell says that all-day parking is “a kick in the teeth to local businesses as they try and survive post-Covid, and I was shocked they would be treated in such a fashion.
In addition, O’Farrell says that “car parking in this area is for park users including walkers, joggers, strollers, dog walkers, fitness enthusiasts etc.
“The car park is full most evenings as park users enjoy the facility.”
O’Farrell also said that the decision by the council to introduce all-day parking at the park without councillor representation undermines local representatives.
“Councillors take decisions on policy (reserved function) via strategic Policy committees (SPC) and DCC management implement (executive function) those policies and we don’t cross over.
“It’s my understanding that there was no policy agreement nor local area agreement with councillors that DCC would have all day paid parking in our public park car parks,” he said.
It is understood that O’Farrell’s motion was supported by the Clontarf Residents Association and the Clontarf Business Association.
“It’s my intention to put forward a motion that a maximum of three hours paid parking is allowed in the carpark as per the Vernon Avenue Carpark.”