Clamping in Galway is to be reduced by 40 hours a week, and gardaí are to exercise their authority over the clampers at all times.
City manager Mr John Tierney agreed to changes to the contentious clamping regime following representations from a number of councillors.
A motion was passed in July by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the PDs and Sinn Féin proposing changes to the scheme which is operated by a private company, Control Plus Ltd.
Mr Tierney reported to last night's city council meeting that he intended to make several amendments to the current clamping contract, to apply for six months with immediate effect. This would facilitate the scheme going to tender in the interim, and the situation would be reviewed at the end of the six-month period.
The new hours of clamping are between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, with no clamping on Sundays.
In relation to on-street parking where a disc is displayed, a fine will be applied 15 minutes after the disc expires, and a clamp an hour after expiry.
Pay-and-display machines are to be upgraded to allow for incremental payments, and credit card payments will now be provided for on all machines.
The councillors voted to change the law on clamping in car parks, allowing for a reduced release fee of €20 to be paid where a clamp has been applied 15 minutes after expiry of a disc.
The current release fee of €80 applies if a car is parked in a carpark one hour after expiry.
While Mr Tierney's changes were welcomed by many councillors, the Mayor of Galway, Ms Catherine Connolly, said it seemed absurd to her to keep tinkering with the clamping system.
"It seems to me we should be getting rid of clamping altogether. It is giving the city a bad name, taking up city officials' time and running at a loss. It is time the councillors got rid of it."
Cllr Daniel Callanan said this was a huge step in the right direction, and he hoped to see significant improvements in the next six months, both in the attitude of the clampers and the image of the city.
