asked the Minister for the Environment if there are regulations relating to the need for a taxi service to be available at set hours of the day or night and if he has any proposals in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxi Service.
5.
The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 to 1979 which prescribe, inter alia, the procedure for the licensing of public service vehicles do not require small public service vehicles licensed for public hire—taxis—to be available at set hours of the day or night. There are no proposals before my Department on this matter.
Does the Minister recall that when I last tabled a similar question I was referred to the Garda Commissioner and when I went to the Garda Commissioner he apparently referred the question back to the Minister for the Environment? In view of the increasing demand by the taxi federation and so on for some sort of moderation in relation to the issue of licences, will the Minister consider that it might be open to consideration by him that there would be some insistence on a set number of taxis on the road at different times to ensure an adequate service?
Previously there was a stipulation with regard to the granting of these licences that a taxi would be available for six hours between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. but this was done away with since the inauguration of the Taxi Services Council who advise my Department. They were not in favour of continuing this. If there is advice that it is necessary, certainly I will have the matter reconsidered. Amazingly enough, the Taxi Services Council thought that it was not necessary. That is the point I want to make.
That regulation might not be the appropriate response. Will the Minister have a look at it and consider the situation? At present it may be argued that perhaps no taxis will be available for bank holiday weekends, holiday periods and so on.
Or 11.30.
At 11.30, yes, and on other occasions we can have a glut of them. In other words, we have not the most efficient and economic usage of transport facilities in this regard. Perhaps the Minister will have a look at it and see if there is need for investigation here.
I will have it re-examined, but it is less than 12 months since the Taxi Services Council offered that advice, and that is fairly broadly representative.
Questions Nos. 6 and 7 will be taken as written.