Most people go into the office two days a week, so they don't need the same amount of parking, according to the leader of the Green Party. 

Cabinet has approved plans to phase out parking in public sector workplaces as part of a new mandate for climate action. 

The Public Sector Climate Action Mandate 2023 was introduced by the Green Party and includes mandates to phase out the use of parking “in [public sector] buildings that have access to good public transport and active or shared mobility options”.  

Minister for Transport and the Environment Eamon Ryan told Newstalk that new work standards have allowed the mandate to be approved.  

“The world has changed, the standard working arrangement in Dublin... is people coming in two days a week,” he said.  

“We don’t need all that parking, or a lot of us [are not using it] during the week.” 

Public transport

Mr Ryan said the measures do not seek to punish public sector workers but to encourage use of public transport.  

“We're not going to be punitive in this – it's all by providing better alternatives, it’s not going to be so restricted that people can’t get to work,” he said.  

“We can use that as an opportunity to pivot and to change... if we do get the switch to public transport, it’s better for everyone. 

“Journey times shorten for people who are driving or taking the bus because there’s less traffic on the roads, there’s less gridlock.” 

14/7/2015 Cars parked at the plint outside the Dail. Photo: RollingNews.ie

Mr Ryan described the measures as a “win-win for everyone”.  

The climate action mandate will promote the use of bicycles and shared mobility options by providing facilities like secure bike parking, shared mobility parking and charging stations. 

Other measures to be introduced under the mandate include ceasing the use of disposable cutlery in public sector canteens, excluding clinical and healthcare environments.  

The mandate will also eliminate “paper-based process as far as is practical”.