asked the Minister for Local Government if, with a view to ensuring that Dublin is provided with an efficient and economical taxi service, he will limit the number of taxi plates.
32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Taxis.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number of licensed taxis in Dublin in 1956, 1961 and now.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
Certain proposals designed to improve the control of the taxi service in Dublin were recently received and are under consideration in my Department. The limitation of the number of taxi plates is not a measure that appears to be within the scope of powers conferred by existing legislation.
The numbers of taxis in Dublin as at 31st December, 1956, 31st December, 1961, and 31st December, 1965, were, respectively, 537, 589, 858.
If, as a result of his consideration of this problem, the Minister considers it desirable to restrict the number, will he initiate the necessary legislation to achieve that object?
If it is considered either necessary or useful.
The Minister will appreciate that in cities abroad the taxi service is better than it is here. There is a restriction on plates and a higher standard is required.
We are checking on these services in other countries to see how we measure up to them.