Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 2

Written Answers. - Vehicle Licences.

Noel Ahern

Question:

112 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the rules applied by the Garda Carriage Office in granting public service vehicle licences in relation to the employment status of the applicant; the number of public service vehicle licences that were issued in the last three years; the number of applications refused; and the analysis, if any, done of those granted licences in relation to those that were unemployed, in casual/part time work or in full time employment. [2749/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Road Traffic (Public Services Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1995 (S. I. No. 136 of 1995), which came into force on 1 September 1995, provided for the transfer of the function of licensing taxis and hackneys, including the grant and renewal of all licenses, to local authorities (county councils, county borough corporations, borough corporations, and urban district councils). In these circumstances, the rules in relation to the issue of such licences is no longer a matter for the Garda authorities or indeed for me as Minister for Justice.

The Garda authorities have, however, retained the function of licensing of drivers of public service vehicles. The Garda authorities have informed me that applications for such licences are processed by them in accordance with the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, as amended. Applications are not approved unless the applicant satisfies the Garda authorities that he is not engaged in any occupation which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, is likely to impair his efficiency or to conflict with his responsibilities or to be incompatible with his employment as a driver of small public service vehicles.

A total of 3583 new public service vehicles drivers licences was issued in the DMA from 1 January 1993 to 31 December 1995. 120 applications were refused during the same period. Of these, 21 were refused because of employment status.

Where an application is refused or an existing licence is revoked by the Garda authorities an appeal against such a decision can be made to the District Court.

No analysis has been carried out on those granted public service vehicle licenses.