239 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the position regarding contracts entered into by the gardaí with towing operators with or without car park compounds; if draft guidance documents are provided by his Department to assist with such contracts; his views on cases where persons co-operated with gardaí and allowed their cars to be taken away for forensic examination being charged storage charges as they did not collect their car rapidly when so advised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42566/10]

The making of arrangements for the provision of towing services to An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that a decision has been taken to outsource the management of towing services in each Garda Division, following a successful pilot project. This process is ongoing and a number of contracts are currently in place. These contracts provide for the management of the overall service, including recovery, storage, disposal and receipt of payment of fees.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that they provide a detailed guidance document for towing contractors.