Vol. 227 No. 6
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the statutory authority under which Aer Rianta may charge taxi-owners £15 per annum for a permit to ply for hire at Dublin Airport and may purport to exclude from the airport taxi-rank lawfully registered taxis.
14.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that Dublin taximen are seriously aggrieved by the decision of Aer Rianta to exclude from the airport taxi-rank all taxis save those approved by Aer Rianta; why, having regard to the steps including annual tests already taken by the State to ensure that taxis comply with recognised standards, Aer Rianta has introduced an additional test; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
Under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, 1936 and 1950, the Minister for Transport and Power has power to establish and operate airports including control on the operation of all services therein. The 1950 Act also provides that Aer Rianta Teoranta act as the Minister's agent for the purpose of the management of Dublin Airport.
Following a series of complaints last year about the quality of the taxi service at the airport, Aer Rianta are introducing a scheme on lines similar to that operated at Shannon Airport under which permits to operate from the private taxi-rank at the airport are being issued to taxi owners likely to operate an efficient and regular service. The new system is being introduced with the full knowledge of the Carriage Office of the Garda Síochána and in consultation with the taxi owners who regularly use the rank at the airport.
The use of the taxi-rank is a concession for which a concession fee of £2 per annum is charged. The remaining £13 per annum paid by the permit holders is not related to the taxi service but to the payment for meals at the airport restaurant.
I am satisfied that the new system will ensure a better taxi service at the airport in the interest of the travelling public and incidentally in the interest of tourism.
Are we to take it then that the Minister for Transport and Power, whose agent is Aer Rianta, is not satisfied that the test carried out by the Carriage Office in relation to taxis and taximen is adequate? Would he say what particular test will be applied in the selection of the taximen who are to be permitted to operate from Dublin Airport?
There is no further test, apart from Aer Rianta being anxious to ensure that the type of taxi or vehicle that is operating and taking passengers from the airport is up to a good standard and is, in fact, a little higher than the standard that normally will pass. This arose from complaints in connection with service, and Aer Rianta are anxious to have control over any possibility of exploitation of customers.
Has it now come to this, that the State is stepping in to divide the taximen and to ensure that only the newest cars are reserved for the privileged people who are able to fly and that other people who want to use the taxi service in Dublin city, the people who arrive by boat, can use whatever is left and is not considered good enough for air passengers? Is that what it amounts to?
Ryans will be all right: they will get preference.
Nobody will be refused——
Does it not amount to the State reserving the newest cars and the cars belonging to the wealthy companies for Dublin Airport and forcing other travellers to take up whatever is left?
No, it does not amount to that. It amounts to the fact that the State, through Aer Rianta, are anxious to ensure that people arriving at the airport are properly catered for.
The right political colour.
Are we to understand that the Minister for Transport and Power is not satisfied that the present test applied by the Carriage Office gives a satisfactory taxi to the public?
That is not the conclusion to be drawn.
It is the only conclusion to be drawn.
Are we to take it that the new regulations formulated by Aer Rianta are to be the regulations and that we have to disregard the regulations already in existence and being applied by the Garda Síochána? Would the Parliamentary Secretary also indicate with whom the negotiations were conducted? He said there were talks in connection with this matter with the taximen who use Dublin Airport. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Ryan's, Blue Cabs and the Taxi Co-op are all against this idea, and with whom did Aer Rianta have consultations?
What the Deputy has said does not bear out what Deputy L'Estrange is endeavouring to suggest.
I want to get information.
Discussions did take place between Aer Rianta and the taximen who are in the habit of using this rank. In the normal way Aerlinte are anxious to ensure that sufficient taxis of proper standard will be available, when required, at Dublin Airport.
Taximen from Blue Cabs, or what?
Individuals.
Order.
