Councillors angry that pay parking will be enforced

Local authority officials will introduce paid parking in 30 towns in Co Cork despite promises from Environment Minister Phil Hogan that councillors would have the power to decide.

Councillors’ fears over parking charges increased yesterday when it emerged that while newly created municipal districts technically had the power to introduce or rescind paid parking, there was a catch.

Council chief executive Tim Lucey reported that while part of the legislation indicated they did have this power, a provision was that decisions had to be consistent “with any policy, strategy, programme, or plan” the local authority had approved.