THE REGULATION OF Vehicle Immobilisation Bill is expected to be published in early 2014.

Under the new provisions, the National Transport Authority, as the regulator will ensure the provision of adequate advisory signage in locations where clamping is in operation, set maximum clamp release periods and fees and establish an independent appeals process.

Complex

In reply to a parliamentary question by Timmy Dooley, the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said the progress of drafting the legislation “has not been as quick as was originally hoped” due to the “complexity” of it but said he expected the Bill to be published  early next year.

Varadkar said they had committed to regulate the clamping of vehicles on privately owned land in their Programme for Government in late 2011. He said the Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht carried out a number of hearings on the matter and in March the Government approved the drafting of the Bill.

The new provisions will apply to clamping activities on the public road as well as on private property where the public has an explicit or implicit invitation to park, said the minister.

Read: Minister to introduce clamping legislation based on report>

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