Bernard J. Durkan
Question:144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to allocate any of the proposed new taxi plates to any of the towns or villages in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - New Taxi Licences.
Ivor Callely
Question:147 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the way the figure of 100 new taxi licences was derived; whether he has (1) consulted with any taxi association in connection with the issue of additional licences or (2) has received any submissions from the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 147 together.
The decision to authorise the grant of 100 new licences in respect of the Dublin taximeter area gives effect to a recommendation of an inter-departmental committee which I set up last May to review the laws relating to the operation of small public service vehicles generally. Before submitting interim recommendations to me, the committee invited submissions in writing from interested bodies and members of the general public.
A large number of submissions were received and considered, including submissions from various groups involved in the taxi industry. The committee also met with members of the Irish Taxi Federation and other bodies, and due account was taken of their views.
The regulations which I made on 24 October 1991 provide both for the extension of the Dublin taximeter area to take in built-up areas like Leixlip, Maynooth, Shankill and Bray, and for 100 new licences — the minimum considered to be necessary to secure an adequate service in the extended taximeter area. The granting of these licences is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. New and existing licence holders will be entitled to provide a service in the extended Dublin taximeter area.