There will be little disruption in Dublin today arising from Car-Free Day, according to Dublin Corporation's director of traffic, Mr Owen Keegan, because rush-hour commuters will not be affected and only a limited number of streets will be closed to cars.
Today Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford join 751 European cities and towns, mainly in France and Italy, in banning cars from city centres as part of European Car-Free Day.
However, the ban will not affect Dublin rush-hour commuters as it starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Cars will be banned from only a limited number of streets in Dublin - Talbot Street, O'Connell Street and Bridge, Dame Street, College Green, Pearse Street, Westmoreland Street and D'Olier Street - but this will block traffic from the key O'Connell Bridge artery across the city.
These areas will be open to public transport, motorcyclists, cyclists, disabled drivers and vehicles making deliveries.
All vehicles will be banned from Custom House Quay, Merrion Square West, part of Dawson Street and Temple Bar, which will host street entertainment. Markiewicz pool will be offering a free swim for the day.
Public transport in the city centre will be free between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
In Cork the exclusion of cars runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; in Limerick it operates between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and in Galway between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Traffic will also be restricted in Portlaoise.
Limerick is also setting up a comment line for members of the public to express their views: 1800-216-816.
The Automobile Association (AA) has described Car-Free Day as a "public relations gimmick".