Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 3

Written Answers. - Public Service Vehicle Licensing.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

138 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under Article 16 2C of the Road Traffic Public Service Vehicles Amendment Regulations 1995, undue hardship is occurring to those people who, when endeavouring to review a taxi licence, are being refused in view of the fact that in some cases the application for renewal is received by the licensing authority outside the time limit of six months following the expiry of the previous licence; and his views on whether, in the interest of equity, it is fair that the livelihood of an individual can be affected in this way merely because of the lapse of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2936/97]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

Under the 1995 regulations, a taxi licence remains in force for a period of two years from the date of issue (increased from one year under the earlier regulations) unless it has been surrendered, suspended or revoked. A licence must be renewed within six months of the expiry date.

Provision for the renewal of taxi licences is necessary to allow for periodic review of vehicle suitability and insurance. I consider that six months is a reasonable period to allow for the making of an application for renewal and I have no proposals to extends the period.