Dublin is one of the most expensive cities in the world for car parking charges, new research shows.
The data from DiscoverCars.com found the capital is the ninth most-expensive city for car parking expenses.
It examined 80 of the most populated global cities based on the cost of car parking and fines and scored them out of 160 points.
The more points the cities received, the higher parking-related charges they have.
Amsterdam, Chicago, London, Copenhagen and Seattle make up the top five with Dublin sharing joint ninth place with Toronto.
Some 60% of the highest-ranking cities are in Europe.
Source: DiscoverCars.comIrish Parking Association Chairman Keith Gavan told Newstalk Breakfast that the widespread use of clamping in Ireland pushed us higher up the list.
"We're very much an outlier here in western Europe and in the western world in that we still use clamping as our main method of parking violation," he said.
"[Clamping] is a much more expensive penalty to customers, so that actually drove up Dublin's cost.
"They put us ninth in the ranking alongside Toronto - if you've ever been in downtown Toronto where the hourly cost of parking of $30 to $40 an hour in not uncommon, I think it just shows how faulty the report is".
'High-cost economy'
Mr Gavan said he believes costs are likely higher than the report suggests.
"I'd actually be surprised that the cost isn't higher in Dublin at the moment," he said.
"According to the report the average is €3.70 an hour, that probably understates it.
"We have to realise we're a very high-cost economy".
Mr Gavan said people often don't factor in operational costs such as electricity charges, insurance and wage costs.
"A much bigger issue for people than the cost of parking is the ease of access," he said.
"Research has shown that accessibility and convenience is far more important to people than the actual car park charges.
"What we're doing in the city at the moment is actually reducing the ease of access," he added.
Mr Gavan queried the data as it amalgamates both parking costs with parking fines.
