Adrian Weckler

I have a visceral dislike of that.

And this is the reason in a time of trauma or if you have to go, I mean, I've had lots of examples in my own life in recent years of this.

You go if you're bereaved or if you're going to the hospital for a particular reason.

it hits you in a visceral way if you then feel like you're paying for a commercial service or you have to pay to enter the premises.

So I'm against it.

I think the commercialisation of hospitals in general, whether it's, you know, €4.50 coffees in the canteen, whether it's, you know, allowing concessions in, whether it's, you know, paid car parks,

I don't like it.

Now, the obvious retort from the hospitals is, yes, but, you know, we make much needed money from those car park fees, number one, to keep the hospital going.

And number two, that also stops casual parkers in city centre locations like the Matter Hospital, St.

James' Hospital in Dublin, for example.

Leaving their car there for the day.

Well, in the UK, in places like in Scotland and Wales, where they've abolished hospital car parking fees.

They have solved this to an extent.

They use technology.

They use the same technology that the guards use, for example, for license plates where they will scan your license plate.

It's barrier operated.

The barrier goes up.

Your car goes in.

You have a ticket.

You validate it on the inside.