Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations that exist for private clamping companies. [14742/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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At present there is no legislation regulating the operation of private clamping operators. The current laws only provide for clamping by local authorities, or those acting as their agents, on public roads and in local authority car parks. This leaves unregulated the whole area of clamping on private property.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to regulate the vehicle clamping industry, I presented a discussion document to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in December 2011 in which I outlined the issues which I feel need to be addressed in regulating the industry, my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation and inviting their views. I understand that the Committee has consulted with a number of relevant stakeholders in the matter and is due to report back to me shortly.

When the Committee's response had been received, I will submit draft legislation to the Government for approval and I hope to be in a position to bring a Bill before the Oireachtas this year.