Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Dublin, John Lahart TD, has said that he believes that free parking should be introduced in Dublin City for all workers for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Dublin City Council confirmed earlier this week that it has instructed its parking enforcement contractor Dublin Street Parking Services to exercise discretion when it comes to clamping cars on roads and streets surrounding hospitals, the Department of Health and HSE offices.
However, Deputy Lahart says that all workers should be allowed the option to drive to their place of work if they would rather avoid public transport at present.
Deputy Lahart said: “I am calling on Dublin City Council to suspend all parking charges across Dublin City while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place. We have seen calls already for hospitals to suspend their parking and clamping processes for the duration and I feel that it’s time to suspend parking costs across the city.
“Many workers would rather drive into their workplaces at present to avoid using public transport but are not doing so, because of the high costs associated with parking in Dublin. For public safety and to engage in social distancing, I think it would be fair for Dublin City Council to suspend all parking costs across the city,” concluded Deputy Lahart.