Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Jul 1999

Vol. 507 No. 4

Written Answers. - Taxi-Hackney Regulations.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

183 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the four Dublin local authorities adopted over 30 recommendations made by the Joint Taxi-Hackney Committee following consideration of the Oscar Faber report, the recommendations of the Taoiseach's Taxi Forum and the views of the consultative body on taxis and hackneys and that many of these recommendations require changes in legislation or regulations; the steps, if any, being taken by his Department to ensure that the relevant Government Departments will move to ensure that those recommendations will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14163/99]

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

I am aware of the report of the Joint Taxi-Hackney Committee of the four Dublin local authorities which was adopted in December 1998. Its recommendations reflect in considerable measure those of the Dublin Taxi Forum.

My Department is currently seeking to progress with the various interests concerned, a range of improvements to the regulatory framework for taxis and hackneys generally, following closely the advice addressed to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government by the Dublin Taxi Forum. Discussions to this end have taken place with representative local authorities, taxi-hackney interests and other service providers, as well as the Garda Síochána.

The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1999, came into operation on 1 March 1999 and revise the points criteria used by licensing authorities for assessing taxi licence applications, as recommended by the forum. A further set of regulations is at an advanced stage for the purpose of implementing a range of other forum recommendations.

I intend that my Department will continue to work actively in co-operation with the other relevant agencies in relation to this task.

Nora Owen

Question:

184 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the status of the taxi forum; if it is still meeting; the current members; and the plans, if any, he has to add a representative of the hackney companies to the forum. [16304/99]

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

The Dublin Taxi Forum was established on the initiative of the Taoiseach on 8 December 1997 for the purpose of promoting an agreed vision for the Dublin taxi service on the basis of dialogue between all interested parties. The forum was chaired by the chairman of the Dublin Transportation Office, and comprised representatives of Dublin taxi organisations, the Departments of the Taoiseach, Environment and Local Government and Public Enterprise, the Garda Síochána, the Dublin local authorities and the DTO consultative panel representing business and personal customer interests.

The Dublin Taxi Forum completed its work in August 1998 and addressed a comprehensive set of recommendations to various Government Departments, the Garda Síochána, local authorities and the service providers.

The Dublin local authorities have already given substantial effect to some of the key recommendations of the taxi forum. Regulations have also been made to amend the points system.

My Department is currently seeking to progress, with the various interests concerned, a range of improvements to the regulatory framework for taxis and hackneys, following closely the advice of the Dublin Taxi Forum. A number of meetings have been held with representative hackney interests as part of this process.