Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 3

Written Answers. - Taxi Licences.

Seán Haughey

Question:

264 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to review the points schedule in relation to the issue of taxi plates by local authorities; if he will clarify the position in relation to the allocation of points under section 5A of the schedule in cases where a person drives a taxi in his or her name, a person drives a taxi not in his or her name and where a person has surrendered a taxi plate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20225/97]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The computation of points, where relevant, for the purpose of taxi licence applications in existing taximeter areas, is determined in accordance with the Sixth Schedule of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1995, as amended by the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997. Copies of these regulations are available in the Oireachtas Library. Adjustment of these points criteria may arise from time to time.

Criterion 5(a) of the Sixth Schedule provides that a holder of a public service vehicle driving licence, who does not hold or has not held a taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi or hackney licence since the coming into operation of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicle) (Licensing) Regulations, 1978 and who provides evidence to the licensing authority that he or she was engaged in the driving of a taxi in the taximeter area in question, may be awarded 100 points for each full year that the driving licence was held and evidence produced. Surrender of a taxi licence is only relevant to criteria 2 and 4, which deal with the deduction or award of points for holders of taxi and hackney licences respectively.

The administration of these provisions in particular cases is the responsibility of the licensing authority concerned.