asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that under Section 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1932, private owners of vehicles for hire can charge only a fixed amount for a specific journey irrespective of whether they carry one or more passengers; that in contrast Córas Iompair Éireann charge per passenger at a standard rate per specific journey; and, if so, whether in view of the fact that this disparity and unequal competition is causing grave inconvenience to small owners of public vehicles in the Killarney area, he will introduce proposals for amending legislation to enable them to charge fares on the lines of that allowed to the public transport body.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disparity in Transport Charges.
I am aware that Section 7 of the Road Transport Act, 1932, imposes restrictions on the activities of taxi and hackney owners. I think that the public transport companies providing regular services are in quite a different position and I see no reason to amend the law in this respect.