Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Thursday) welcomed the decision by Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to introduce a parking promotion during the holiday period which will ease the burden on shoppers and help to stimulate business for local enterprises, who are the engine of our economy.

“Parking has long been an issue in and around Dun Laoghaire with many of the view that the strict enforcement of metered parking is forcing shoppers out of the town and into the larger shopping centres, many of which offer free parking.

“As the busy festive season approaches, Dun Laoghaire County Council has introduced an initiative, following consultation with the Dun Laoghaire Business Association and other key players, which will see shoppers who avail of at least one hour’s free parking, getting another one free.

“This should act as an incentive to local communities in the Blackrock, Monkstown, Cabinteely, Dún Laoghaire, Glasthule/Sandycove, Dalkey, Stillorgan and Dundrum areas to shop locally and to support local businesses.

“The promotion will run from 10th December to 31st December 2013 inclusive and while the 3 hour maximum time limit restriction still applies in these commercial areas, it is worth nothing that so does the 15 minute grace parking period. This means that motorists, who pay for one hour’s parking, will now receive the second hour free plus the usual 15 minutes grace. So in practice, this means that a person who parks their car at 1pm and pays for 60 minutes parking will not have to return to their car until 3.15pm. This person has paid for 60 minutes covering them from 1pm to 2pm; they will get 60 minutes free covering them from 2pm to 3pm; and will also still receive the normal 15 minutes grace period covering them from 3pm to 3.15pm. This represents exceptional value for money for shopping motorists which I hope will be reflected in a boost for local retailers.

“If we want to maintain our towns and villages to the standard that we currently enjoy, it is up to each and every one of us to ensure that we place a firm focus on shopping locally. This initiative will help to make that goal a reality, at least for three weeks in December.”