Michael Bell
Question:530 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the magnitude of the problems that exist in the small PSV industry nationwide, problems which have been increasing since September 1995 due largely to the transfer of taxi and hackney licensing functions from the Garda Commissioner to local authorities; if he will clarify his Department's position in relation to the review of the 1995 PSV regulations which was initiated in his Department in September 1996; when he will report on the matter; his views on whether the powers assigned to local authorities in September 1995 were very minimum, very complex and that many aspects of PSV regulations still require clarification; if he will confirm that local authorities will be given the maximum powers to control and regulate taxis and hackneys within their areas when this review is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9139/98]
