Virgin Media star Simon Delaney has criticised plans to raise clamping costs in Dublin.
Clamping fines in the city are to rise from €80 to €125 by March 1, after Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan recently approved an increase in the release fees for clamped vehicles in Dublin city.
From January to October 2021, there were 33,389 drivers clamped in Dublin city. 2,369 of these were appealed but only 387 appeals were withheld.
Dublin City Council said that the move to increase the charge was to "encourage more considerate behaviour by motorists".
Dublin Live took to the streets to ask people what they thought of the decision, with one of those people being Simon Delaney, who said he was very much against it.
He revealed: "Am I in favour of it? I think without a shadow of a doubt, no. I think it's extortionate.
"The fact that they're increasing it, they're obviously trying to get cars out of the city centre. That's what we did today. We got the train in and left the car at home."
Other Dubs seemed to have the same feelings towards the move.
One person described it as "ridiculous".
He said: "Where do you park? They're turning everything into a cycle lane, bus lanes, one way streets. There's nowhere to park. They should be reducing the fines, not increasing them."
Another person told us: "Life is expensive the way it is. They should leave it the way they have it."
Meanwhile, another said: "I don't think it will deter anyone more than it does already."
The Green Party claim that the move will discourage illegal parking in the city. But the Automobile Association said that the increased clamping charges come at a bad time for drivers.
The AA said that motorists are already experiencing a "perfect storm" when it comes to the cost of driving.
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletter.
