‘It is up to the individual hospitals how they manage the clamping,’ he said.
Paschal Donohoe’s comments come on foot of the Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014.
He said, “I would like to see a different way of hospitals dealing with parking issues apart from them having to clamp, but the role of this bill is not to deal with that policy.”
The minister said that the new legislation will regulate the often controversial industry in a fairer way. Currently, clamping or relocating vehicles within private property does not come under the scope of road traffic legislation.
The new legislation will set the maximum charge for removing a clamp to €100, and the vehicle relocation fee will be €50.
Among other points, the Bill also sets out a two-tier appeals process for disputes, and clear and prominent signage to be made visible in areas where clamping is in operation, with fines of up to €2,500 applicable for breaches of this rule.