The Garda Siochana's top brass turned out in force at the Garda Club in Dublin, on Tuesday, for the announcement by Commissioner Pat Byrne that they would be assuming "total control" of peak-period traffic management in the city. There was stern talk about cracking down on illegally-parked vehicles blocking clearways, with the Garda Air Support Unit (aka a helicopter) watching from the sky and conveying "real time information" to the Command and Control Centre.
Asked whether the Garda might have more credibility on traffic if its members did not park their own cars three abreast outside Pearse Street Garda Station, Assistant Commissioner Jim McHugh said this problem had been sorted out "more or less".
It hasn't, at least not in the view of Dublin Corporation's Office of the Director of Traffic. One official there just laughed when he heard what had been said. Just go out there and see for yourself, was his advice.
Quidnunc is at rholohan@irish-times.ie