The Transport Minister says he has sympathy for people clamped in hospital car parks, but says he cannot change parking policy on private land.
Paschal Donohoe has appeared at the Oireachtas Transport Committee - where he rejected amendments to the Vehicle Clamping Bill.
Minister Donohoe said the bill is not about parking policy, but aims to regulate the activity of clamping.
He said while he has sympathy for those clamped while ill or visiting loved ones, his hands are tied:
The bill proposes fines for operators who charge too high a release fee.
The bill sets a maximum charge of €100 for clamping and €50 for vehicle relocation.
The new laws will see clamping regulated for the first time in both public and private lands and would see the regulation of clamping, in all areas, coming under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA will set maximum release fees, regulate for provision of appropriate signage advising clamping is in effect in an area, and establish a two-tier clamping appeals process for ministers
The clamping of vehicles in the capital has generated an annual income of €4.2m in fines.
