Galway City Council has said there is an onus on motorists to pay parking charges, even though 90 parking meters around the city can no longer accept cash or card payments.
Problems with the operation of the machines were discussed in detail at this afternoon's meeting of the local authority.
A row over the contract to operate the devices has impacted on payment methods since last week. It means fees can only be paid online, by phone, through a dedicated mobile phone app, or at a number of retail outlets.
A "grace period", during which fines for non-payment of charges will not be enforced, will elapse next Monday.
The Council says that motorists will have to use the alternatives to cash or card payments after that.
The meeting heard an obligation to ensure the public can use hard currency for purchases is satisfied, once cash can be used to pay for parking at certain shops.
Officials said they were precluded from discussing all aspects surrounding the operation of the meters, as a contract to run them is subject to an ongoing legal challenge.
Chief Executive, Leonard Cleary, acknowledged the "frustration and disappointment" being experienced by members of the public in relation to the issue.
He said that while a "grace period" applied until next Monday, fees could not be rescinded or abolished.
There was no information given about the extent of revenue being lost, as a result of what one Councillor described as a "fiasco", but the city normally takes in around €4 million in parking charges and related fines annually.
Mr Cleary said measures to allow for the return of cash payments at meters were being actively pursued.
The meeting was told that the 90 parking machines were purchased by the City Council in 2017 and 2018.
It was also confirmed that the previous operator offered to maintain the coin and card option on the machines last week, until the conclusion of proceedings in relation to awarding of the new contract.
However, the Council says it was advised that it could not accept this offer, in light of the ongoing court case.
