Fine Gael unveils clamping Bill

A new Bill published today will provide for fines and jail terms of up to five years for unlicensed clampers.

The Car Clamping Regulation Bill 2010 was unveiled by Fine Gael Transport spokesman Simon Coveney at Leinster House.

Under a new licensing system similar to that in place for taxi drivers, clamping firms and their employees would have to be vetted by Garda authorities, or any other body the transport authority thought fit, to certify their fitness to hold such a licence.

However, the Bill stops short of a move by the British government last week to outlaw the practice of clamping on private property. While it responds to consumer concerns about aggressive nature of some firms which clamp on private property, it is silent on the industry's concerns about attacks by members of the public on clamping officers, some of whom feel the need to wear knife-proof clothing.

Under the Fine Gael Bill the National Transport Authority would have the power to vary either the terms or conditions reating to the granting of a licence; the manner and form of an application for the grant of a licence; the format and content of a licence; the period of its validity; and the revocation and suspension of a licence.

In addition to it being an offence to clamp a vehicle without a licence, it would also be an offence to be a land owner or occupier who hires such an unlicensed firm.

The Bill states "a person guilty of an offence" shall on summary conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine, or to both. On conviction on indictment people may be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine, or to both.