Vol. 475 No. 3
79 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment the further measures, if any, he intends to take, other than the existing measures, to encourage the provision of wheelchair accessible taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4766/97]
80 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment the steps, if any, he intends to take to ensure that wheelchair accessible taxis are available in all major cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
Under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1995 local authorities are responsible for decisions in relation to the establishment of taximeter areas and the licensing and operation of taxis, including wheelchair accessible taxis, in those areas. It is a matter for the relevant local authority to decide the number of licences to be issued in its area for wheelchair accessible taxis and the fees to be charged for those licences.
