Vol. 465 No. 4
115 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that new taxis being licensed are inaccessible to persons confined to wheelchairs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9843/96]
The 1995 public service vehicles regulations specify standards for wheelchair accessible taxis which were first determined in 1992 following consultations with various interests, including those representing wheelchair users. It is a matter for the Garda commissioner to certify whether a vehicle is suitable to be licensed as a wheelchair accessible taxi in accordance with the regulations.
While I have no proposals to amend the 1995 regulations at this stage, I intend to review them in the light of experience of their operation and of submissions such as that referred to in the question. Recent representations received in my Department in relation to the specified dimensions for wheelchair accessible taxis will be examined in that context.
