asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider limiting the number of licensed hackney cars in the State in the same way as licensed hauliers are limited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licensing of Hackney Cars.
20.
Several proposals to the effect suggested in the Deputy's question have been made to me and my predecessors and, after due consideration, have all been rejected.
Would the Minister say if he is aware that the unrestricted issue of hackney licences to cater for a falling population and a falling clientele is putting the bona fide hackney owners out of business in this State? Will he have another look at the matter and not depend on his predecessors?
I think the House and the Deputy are fully aware that the big difficulty that has been encountered over the years in regard to this matter was to devise a proper way or means whereby the unauthorised use of private cars for public transport could be detected. A restriction on these licences would not, from my information, tend to aid that detection. I do not see any advantage in the suggestion.
Is the Minister now telling me and the House that there are so many unlicensed hackneys in the State that those who have licences are very foolish and should engage in the unlicensed trade which cannot be stopped?
The Deputy will recall that during the passage of the Road Traffic Bill through the House it had been my intention to wipe out these licences altogether as they were completely unreal, and it was at the behest of the Hackney Owners' Association that I continued them in operation despite their lack of reality.
Surely it is a ridiculous situation?
It is not of my making.
Question No. 21 withdrawn.