Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy asked if I will refuse any application to raise clamping charges in view of the increased pressures already felt by motorists. The programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry. In this regard, I presented a discussion document to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht in December 2011 in which I outlined the principal issues to be addressed in regulating the industry and my proposals on the shape of appropriate legislation, and I invited their views. This was the first time a committee was asked to participate in the drafting of legislation at the pre-heads of Bill or principles stage.

The committee, of which the Deputy is a member, responded to me on 28 March in a comprehensive report which contained a number of recommendations, many of which will be reflected in the resulting legislation. In its report, the committee made specific recommendations on the level of de-clamping fees, to which I will give careful consideration when framing the legislation. It is my intention to bring my proposals for legislation on vehicle clamping to Government in the coming weeks.

The current maximum de-clamping fee that may be charged by public authorities for parking offences on public land was set by statute in 1998 at £65 which, with the introduction of the euro, converted to €80. I have received no formal application to have that fee increased and I have no proposals to do so.

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