Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:12 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any plans to relax the laws governing the issue of taxi and/or hackney licences especially in the context of discouraging drink driving.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxi-Hackney Licences.
In recent weeks, my Department have been engaged in a preliminary review of this matter taking account, among other things, of the problems highlighted during the Christmas period. Arising from this, I have decided to initiate a fundamental review of the law as it applies to the operation of small public service vehicles generally. When the necessary interdepartmental consultations are completed, I will announce details of the review procedure.
When does the Minister expect this review to be completed? He will be aware that during the Christmas period and the very successful campaign against drink driving many thousands of citizens were either unable to get taxis or had to wait a long time for taxis. Therefore, will he agree that it is important, that any review is completed so that steps can be taken to avoid a repetition next Christmas of the difficulties of last Christmas?
I have targeted a time of six months for the review. I think we can do it in that time and then take whatever steps are necessary afterwards.