Vol. 318 No. 1
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the practice which continues at Heuston Station, Dublin, whereby certain taxi drivers solicit fares other than in the manner prescribed by law and the steps he is taking to prevent a continuation of this abuse.
448.
andMr. Keating asked the Minister for Justice if he will investigate complaints from the Irish Taxi Federation regarding malpractice by a minority of taxi drivers at Seán Heuston Station, Dublin, and the action he intends to take if these complaints are substantiated.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.
The enforcement of the law relating to taxis is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Commissioner that the Garda have received complaints about breaches of the by-laws by a minority of taxi drivers operating near Seán Heuston Station. They accept that there is justification for these complaints and they have been giving attention to the problem. During the past two years 100 prosecutions have been instituted for breaches of the law by taxi drivers in that area. The Garda say that they investigate all complaints and, whenever offences are detected and evidence is available, prosecutions are taken. They will continue to give the matter as much attention as they can.
