asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for parking offences in Dublin in the last financial period for which figures are available; the revenue from fines imposed on convictions for such offences; and the approximate administrative cost of processing these prosecutions.

25.

asked the Minister for Justice the number of parking tickets issued in Dublin in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and the approximate administrative cost per ticket of issuing the original ticket and reminder.

26.

asked the Minister for Justice the revenue from parking tickets in Dublin in each of the past five years for which figures are available.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 25 and 26 together.

In the year 1978 there were 42,641 prosecutions in respect of parking offences in the Dublin metropolitan area excluding Dún Laoghaire and Bray. Statistics are not compiled of revenue from court fines imposed for particular categories of road traffic offences.

Statistics of fine-on-the-spot notices issued for parking offences in the area mentioned, and of the revenue which accrued from the notices, in each of the last five years are set out in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

The costs of processing prosecutions in respect of parking offences and of issuing fine-on-the-spot notices and reminders are not available and could not be compiled except at the expense of more important work.

The following is the statement:

On a point of order, how can the Minister answer four questions in a minute and a half?

Would the Minister not accept that it is a reasonable assumption on the basis of the figures in his answer that we are actually making a loss on the enforcement of parking regulations in Dublin? Would he consider organising some other system, such as the disc system, which would make a profit which could be devoted to improving the road system?

The enforcement of the law must be my primary consideration and the cost of the enforcement is necessarily of secondary importance, particularly when one has to have regard to the cost to the nation in economic terms alone of the disruption of traffic caused by breaches of the parking laws.

Is the Minister saying he is totally satisfied with the present system?

If the Deputy wishes to have the system changed he should table a question to the appropriate Minister who has responsibility for legislation in this area.

There are three people involved.

Enforcement of the legislation is my area.

The remaining questions will appear on the Order Paper on Tuesday, 8 May 1979.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 13 on today's Order Paper. An evasive answer has been given regarding the cost of these executive jets.

I will communicate with the Deputy during the afternoon.