South Dublin County Council has netted €1.4m in three years from parking meters and fines demonstrating a clear case for easing the burden on motorists.

This is according to Clondalkin Councillor Trevor Gilligan. The Fianna Fáil representative said there should be a 'free' allocation before parking charges kick in. 

Councillor Gilligan added that Council need to move away from seeing parking charges as a revenue raiser for local authorities and said the focus should instead be on taking the hassle out of parking in villages for people, encouraging more people to shop and support local business.

South Dublin County Council made almost €270,000 in fines during 2011. More than 10,000 fines are issued for parking related offences in South Dublin County Council each year, at €40 increasing to €60 after 28 days.