Vol. 508 No. 1
785 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that convicted sex offenders are not granted PSV licences to drive taxis; and when he was informed by the gardaí that a licence had been mistakenly issued to the man convicted in the X case and of their intention to renew his licence. [18360/99]
The issue of the processing of public service vehicle applications in regard to suitability of the applicant is a matter for the Garda authorities and responsibility for ensuring that persons are fit and proper persons to be granted a licence rests with the authorising officer in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment( (No. 2) Regulations, 1970 (SI 200 of 1970). In these circumstances, the Deputy will appreciate that I had no prior knowledge of this case until it came into the public domain.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that a working group has been set up to review existing procedures for the processing of public service vehicle applications. The review will deal with the issues raised by the Deputy.
I have been assured that any change in existing procedures considered necessary will be put in place as soon as possible.
