Sir, – My family and I travelled from Fingal to Dún Laoghaire last Saturday morning for an event at the East Pier. I found parking conveniently located close to the East Pier, but was somewhat surprised by that the only pay and display machine in the vicinity did not accept cash but was only accepting credit card payments. I used my credit card for the €3 fee to avoid being clamped. However, many families visiting the East Pier might not have a credit card and may have been compelled to move off in order to avoid any penalty.
It is bewildering, considering the economic difficulties many families are facing, that a local authority such as Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council would insist payment for on-street parking be made by credit card. What about those who are not in a position to hold a credit card, or the many elderly people who choose not to hold a credit card? The council should be mindful of the personal debt created by credit card usage in Ireland and the major negative impact on the economically marginalised members of society it has had. The simple solution would be to revise its policy for pay and display to eliminate credit card payments.
Cash is obviously not king in Dún Laoghaire, where a more flexibile friend seems preferred. – Yours, etc,
JOE CORR,
Park Road, Rush, Co Dublin.