The Garda said yesterday it will be a couple of weeks before the new on-the-spot fines, introduced this week, are enforced. A spokesman said it was usual for a training period to be provided so that members of the force would be familiar with the new regulations.
A fine of £15 will be payable for the new offences introduced by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey.
These include stopping or parking on a motorway, stopping or parking at a school entrance where this is prohibited, parking in a disabled persons' parking bay without displaying a disabled person's parking permit or parking a vehicle in such a manner as to obstruct or endanger other traffic.
The fine can be applied by a garda or a traffic warden. The Department of the Environment points out that payment of the fine avoids later court appearances.