Row over hike in parking prices

Eoin English

The review will take place over the coming days, city manager Joe Gavin said.

The move follows complaints from city councillors at this week’s meeting.

The increase, from E5 to E20, was included in the council’s 2005 estimates but was not explained in detail.

Cllr’s Mick Barry and Damian Wallace said at Monday’s meeting that councillors were furious they didn’t get a chance to discuss the price hike before it was ratified.

City manager Joe Gavin said while the setting of the price of residents’ parking permits is an executive function, reserved for management, he agreed councillors should have been consulted before the vote. He agreed to the review.

The hike was blamed on the extension of the city’s disc parking zones which has resulted in increased costs in running the system.

Meanwhile, moves are underway to extend the opening hours of the city council’s Paul Street car park to include Sunday nights initially.

It is hoped further extensions will see the car park open from 7.30am to midnight seven days a week.

Opening hours at the North Main Street car park are also to be extended until 9.30pm.