asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that under present regulations governing the crossing of the Border with Northern Ireland by taxi drivers the position is that if a taxi driver resident in Northern Ireland takes a fare into the Republic and the fare asks him to return to collect him later in the day he is not permitted to leave the Republic before returning to collect his fare since he will not be allowed to cross back from Northern Ireland without a fare-paying passenger in his taxi, whereas a similar regulation does not apply to taxi drivers resident in the Republic crossing into Northern Ireland; and whether, in view of the fact that a change in these regulations would mean that Northern taxi drivers could bring larger numbers of tourists into the Republic, he will bring the regulations into line with those applied by the Northern Ireland authorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Border Taxi Traffic.
3.
I am aware that the position is as set out in the Deputy's question. The provisions of the regulations governing the temporary importation of motor vehicles without payment of duty are at present under review in consultation with the Minister for Transport and Power. The Deputy's suggestion will be examined in the course of the review but, of course, I cannot give an undertaking that it will be feasible to implement it.
Does the Minister anticipate that there will be a decision before the next tourist season, before next summer?
I think so, yes.