The Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) has strongly criticised the increases in parking tariffs in Dublin and the introduction of Sunday parking charges.
The chief executive of the CAI, Mr Dermott Jewell, said: "Once again the motorist, who is already beleaguered with expenses, has been set back. It's illogical and unfair to have consumers treated in this fashion."
It had been suggested that the monies were used for traffic-calming measures, but the effect had not been noticeable, said Mr Jewell.
The AA's response was more measured. Its public affairs manager, Mr Conor Faughnan, said the new charges were mainly informed by traffic management rather than profit motivation.
"While we are a little disappointed that the overall cost of parking is going up, it would be unrealistic to expect that there would be no net increase," he said. The AA had lobbied against the proposal for the introduction of late-evening parking, and Mr Faughnan said he welcomed its exclusion from Dublin Corporation's plans.
The new parking tariffs were introduced in Dublin yesterday. The city is divided into five parking zones with rates ranging from £1.50 in areas of very high demand to 50p in low-demand suburban villages. The new tariffs will be displayed on pay-and-display machines.
The purpose of on-street parking was to cater for short-stay motorists, and the pricing structure had to be set so that there was an incentive not to overstay, Mr Owen Keegan, Dublin Corporation's director of traffic, said. The charge up to now was significantly lower than off-street charges leading to excessive on-street demand, he added.
All revenue from parking charges is "ring-fenced" for traffic management, according to Dublin Corporation. "Over the next 12 months the corporation will carry out an extensive works programme which includes 12 traffic-calming schemes, street improvements and the installation of new traffic and pedestrian signals."
A leaflet outlining the new zones and tariffs is available on request from the Office of the Director of Traffic in the Civic Offices, 01-6722261.