asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the grave anxiety on the part of taxi owners and drivers in regard to the number of taxis plying for hire in relation to the limited amount of taxi users, with particular reference to the loss to them due to the extra facilities granted to tourists for use of their own cars; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxi Licences.
asked the Minister for Justice (a) if he is in a position to decide to limit the number of hackney licences being issued by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, and (b) whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being experienced by those who depend on hackney driving for a living by the issue of licences to persons who engage in it as a part-time occupation, and who are already in other employment.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to deal with Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
Under the Road Traffic Act, 1933, licences for public service vehicles are issued by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, and the Commissioner is authorised to refuse an application for a licence only if he considers that the vehicle is not constructed and equipped in accordance with regulations made under the Act, or that it is not in a proper state of repair, or that the applicant, by reason of his character or previous conduct, is not a fit and proper person to hold a public service vehicle licence.
Representations have been made to me that there are too many hackneys and taxis for the available business, and it has been suggested that I should introduce proposals for legislation to restrict the issue of new licences. I have considered these representations carefully, but I consider that there would be serious objections to such legislation.
Will the Minister agree that there is in his answer a departure from the principle of one man one job and that the people who are earning their livelihood wholetime in this occupation are prevented from engaging in it profitably by reason of the fact that persons who are engaged in it part-time are also engaged in other business?
I do not think any such thing is implied in my reply. There is no condition at the moment under which the Commissioner can refuse any person who fulfils these statutory qualifications. I do not think I could apply a means test. It would create more hardship than good.
Can the Minister say if the regulations have recently been changed?
No.
Is the Minister not aware that one man who applied and who fulfilled all the conditions was refused because he had been interned by the previous Government?
Is the Minister aware that at the end of the emergency a number of members of the Defence Forces bought these vehicles as a means of making their livelihood? These men now find it impossible to make a livelihood because so many people in other employment—not as owners of the taxi business but actually in other employment—are engaging people to drive taxis for them. It appears to be somewhat unfair that men who served their country and who spent their gratuity in buying vehicles of this kind now find themselves up against such competition.