MOTORING AND consumer groups are calling for closer scrutiny of the private clamping market in Ireland, following the banning of such operations in Scotland, and a request last week from the Automobile Association (AA) for a similar ban in England and Wales.
Both AA Ireland and the Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) agreed that regulation of the private wheel clamping industry in Ireland is needed in order to prevent fees and unreasonable practices getting out of control.
Dermot Jewell, chief executive of the CAI, said: “We’re very fortunate in Ireland that we have got a reasonable approach to this from the private providers, but if we are to see what has happened in the UK and not do something to stop it happening here, we’re leaving ourselves open to all sorts of difficulties.”
Jewell is in favour of a proactive approach to what could become an industry problem. “It is right that it be acknowledged as one to watch so that if the market starts to turn or change, there will be time to be concerned about taking action.
“We will need to be prepared to move quite quickly to stop that element of rogue or bad business entering our market,” he said.
“I think it needs to be controlled,” agreed Conor Faughnan of AA Ireland. “It hasn’t reached the point where it’s the sort of problem here it is in the UK, but nevertheless we don’t want to let it get that way, so it’s worth controlling now.”
At present, the majority of private clampers set release fees at a similar level to those of the local authorities, so most disputes are with the fairness of the clamping rather than the fees.
In January 2008, Motors reported information provided by the Courts Service that confirmed that motorists may personally prosecute cases against private clamping companies, as lay litigants, without incurring lawyers’ fees, in the District Court. However, there are no specific laws regulating the industry.
Scotland outlawed clamping in 1992 and now the AA has called for an outright ban of clamping on private land in England and Wales. It is citing the failure of the industry’s self regulation as the reason.