A pact between nine of the 15 members of Galway City Council is expected to see the termination of the current car clamping contract for the city and a new restricted clamping system going out to tender in the coming weeks.
The pact between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, PD, and Sinn Féin councillors will see a motion passed tonight which will terminate the contract with Dublin-based clampers Control Plus. They have reached agreement in principle on the issue, and are expected to iron out the details soon.
Clamping became a major issue in the run-up to last month's local elections, particularly after clampers refused to release the car of a parent whose child urgently needed to be transferred to hospital.
The councillors have called for one month's notice to be given to the current clampers, and for the council to advertise for tenders for a company to operate the new service.
Under the proposed system, on-street pay-and-display parking will be permitted for up to two hours, after which there will be a one-hour period of grace during which a fine can be issued. If the car remains after the third hour, it can then be clamped.
Clamping will also be banned from all city-operated car parks, with proposals that electronic barriers or a 'manned' system be introduced to ensure there is no loss of revenue.