Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor believes that free parking should be introduced in Carlow town for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Deputy Murnane O’Connor said it was important that workers be allowed the option to drive to their place of work to avoid any need for public or shared transport.
She said, “We have already seen hospitals suspend their parking and clamping processes for the duration of the crisis and I feel that it’s time to suspend parking costs across the town for the other vital workers, those working in our supermarkets and in the Intreo centres for example.
“The car parks and street parking are all but empty and will remain like that until the restrictions are loosened so it makes sense that the charges are suspended until the crisis passes.
“Other towns have suspended parking charges and have put information boards around the pay machines to inform people that they do not need to pay, but also to spread awareness of the social distancing guidelines.
“I have raised the matter with the Director of Services and asked him that Carlow County Council take the same approach,” she concluded.