Sir, - I see that the Garda Representative Association has been complaining about the fact that clamping has been outsourced by Dublin Corporation. The reason they complain is that private clampers, unlike gardai, are unable to exercise any discretion.
To me this should be the main reason why gardai should have no dealings with it. We have already seen how they have exercised their discretion in relation to another motoring issue, namely that of illegal unlicensed drivers. Quite simply they decided that the offence was too widespread and therefore decided not to enforce it at all.
Similarly with the numerous traffic offences I see on my way to work in Dublin every day. Never once have I seen any systematic attempt to ensure safety on the roads through the enforcement of the traffic laws. Perhaps we should consider outsourcing these functions as well. Certainly in other countries, traffic wardens also have functions relating to moving traffic offences. Why not here? - Yours, etc., Frank Courtney,
Phibsboro, Dublin 7.