asked the Minister for the Environment if in relation to taxi licences he will state; (a) the number of licences issued and in existence by the Carriage Office in the Dublin area; (b) the number of such licences being used at present; (c) if he has satisfied himself that all such licences are being used by bona fide taxi operators; (d) if any review as to the use of such licences has been carried out by his Department; and (e) if he is prepared to make such licences nontransferable; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Licensing of Public Hire Vehicles.
71.
At present, the licensing of public hire vehicles (taxis) in the Dublin taximeter area and the enforcement of regulations under the Road Traffic Acts governing their operation is a matter for the Garda Commissioner subject to a determination being made by Dublin Corportation from time to time as to the number of new public hire licences which may be granted in that area by the Commissioner in any year.
As regards (a) to (c) of the Deputy's question, I understand from the Garda authorities that the maximum number of licences which may be granted in the Dublin taximetre area is 1,835 and that the actual number in use on 30 March 1987 was 1,824. The Garda Authorities are satisfied that the latter licences are being operated by bona fide taxi licence holders. The Garda Commissioner may revoke a licence if, for example, the holder is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
(d) is primarily a matter for the Garda Commission. Regarding (e), I have no proposals to make public hire licences non-transferable. Under section 31 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act, 1986, the Authority may, with my consent, make by-laws in relation to the regulation, control and operation of public service vehicles within the Authority's functional area and may in particular by such by-laws provide for the licensing by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or by the Authority of such vehicles and their drivers and conductors. The section has not yet been brought into operation.