asked the Minister for Local Government if he intends to limit the number of new taxi licences to be issued in any one year; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxi Licences.
10.
I have no power to limit the number of taxi licences which may be issued. Such limitation could only be operated if amending legislation were enacted.
Is it the intention of the Minister to introduce the necessary legislation?
I propose to introduce legislation sometime later this year to deal with the whole question of taxis and their operation. This legislation will probably include a section which will state how taxi licences can be issued. In this way it may be possible to limit the number of licences. The recent regulations made by the Department regarding licences issued in June this year stipulate that the vehicle, insurance and proof of driving capability of the person making application must be produced between the 1st and the 14th June. This should have the effect of limiting the licences to those who are ready to operate as taximen immediately. Also, I have extended Deputy Molloy's previous regulation so that licences will be issued only once per year until the new legislation comes into operation.
Has a study been made of the existing needs of the city in this regard?
Yes, numerous such studies have been made.
Are there any figures available?
Yes.
Can the Minister give us any indication as to when the proposed legislation will be ready to be brought before the House? He will be aware that already two or three years' study has gone into the operation of the whole taxi business in Ireland and that quite an amount of background knowledge has been accumulated which should enable him to make an early decision in this matter. The Minister will appreciate that the income of taximen in Dublin is being restricted severely because of the increasing number of taxi licences being issued.
I wish to help the Deputy to elicit information but he must not make a long statement.
This matter caused me much concern during my term of office and I hope the Minister is equally concerned about it and that he will bring forward expeditiously the necessary legislation.
To quote Deputy Cunningham, I have no wish to be smartalecky about this, but Deputy Molloy must appreciate that he did not arrange for the preparation of legislation during his term of office. The fact that the information to which he refers is available and is at present being considered in the light of bringing in the relevant legislation indicates that I have regard for the livelihood of the taximen in this country.
The Minister has said that he has no power to limit the number of taxi licences but how does he reconcile that statement with his promise to the taximen's association that he will suspend the issuing of licences for 12 months from the 1st July?
Obviously the Deputy is not aware that I have power to suspend the issuing of licences for a period of 12 months. I have used that power, which shows that I am interested.
That cannot be reconciled with the Minister's answer to the original question.
I have no power to decide that no further taxi licences will be issued but I have power to decide that they will not be issued from the 14th June this year until the 1st June next year and that is what I have done.
The information——
We have debated this question for long enough.
There has not been much information extracted from the Minister, but perhaps he might tell us why he did not keep his promise to the deputation from the Taxi Federation——
The Deputy is becoming argumentative. I am calling Question No. 11.
——as a result of which there was a strike which inconvenienced the people of this city?
In deference to the Chair, I will answer the next question but on another occasion I will tell Deputy Molloy why, not for the first time, he has the wrong information.
I am referring to the statement issued by the federation.
The Chair has called the next question.