‘Under-regulated’ clamping industry to be reviewed

THEY might be the arch-enemy of every motorist but clampers are set to have their own powers fettered in the near future.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has confirmed that he will shortly be bringing forward new legislation to regulate the clamping industry as promised under the Programme for Government.

Mr Varadkar described the system for clamping on private property as “under-regulated, bad for motorists and bad for business”.

He admitted the legal position governing the use of clamping equipment on private property was unclear.

Proposals to reform the industry will be presented by Mr Varadkar to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport shortly in order to allow them consult with various bodies and prepare recommendations for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

“We want to bring in a new system which protects motorists from exploitation and benefits legitimate operators but which still penalises bad parking behaviour,” said Mr Varadkar.

He said he was responding to concern voiced by members of the public about the activity of some private clampers.

Many motorists have complained in recent years about the growing number of parking enforcement companies which operate on private property and incidents of aggressive behaviour by clampers.

Mr Varadkar noted that there is no appeals mechanism against perceived abuses by clampers operating on private property unlike clamping firms working on behalf of local authorities.

However, the Minister said he was opposed to an outright ban for clamping on private property as in many cases it prevented nuisance parking.

The Oireachtas Transport Committee is likely to consider a system whereby clamping firms would apply for a licence to operate a clamping service on private property

Staff working for private clampers may also be required to undergo a garda vetting process.