Vol. 512 No. 8
81 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether the Government gave commitments either in writing or orally to the forum on taxis which are in conflict with the current proposals for fresh issues of licence plates. [27380/99]
82 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will indicate the estimates of taxi demand which underpinned his recent decision to issue a new taxi plate for every existing plate. [27381/99]
83 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the restrictions, if any, which exist on claiming an additional taxi plate under the new scheme; and the restrictions, if any, which exist on individuals that can purchase the new plates as they enter the second hand market, for example, Garda clearance or other criteria. [27382/99]
84 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether the proposed issue of a plate for every existing taxi holder in Dublin is the final allocation for a fixed period; and his future plans after this issue in order that the market clearing process which he foresees can proceed on full information. [27383/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 to 84, inclusive, together.
The most recent authoritative survey of Dublin taxi services is set out in the report Review of Taxi and Hackney Carriage Service in the Dublin Area – Oscar Faber consultants, June 1998. This estimated that there was a shortfall in taxi supply equivalent to over 2,200 in 1998 and that this would increase to some 3,500 by 2008. These estimates, compounded by strong growth in the national and Dublin economies, provide a basis for the Government's recent policy decisions to address Dublin taxi needs.
Regulations are being prepared by my Department as a matter of urgency to implement these decisions. It is intended that one new taxi, or wheelchair accessible taxi, licence will be offered to each individual who holds or will hold a taxi licence in Dublin by end 1999. All vehicles to be licensed in this connection will require to be inspected and certified by the gardai in line with existing regulatory provisions; a time limit will be specified for this purpose. No other limitation on the uptake of offers is envisaged.
I have made it clear that when present exceptional arrangements have been completed, overall responsibility for taxi regulation will be restored to the Dublin local authorities with a view to maintaining the equilibrium of taxi supply and demand into the future.
The Dublin taxi forum operated as an informal and broadly based group which addressed recommendations, by consensus, to different interests concerned in the regulation and provision of taxi services. The forum did not seek or obtain commitments from any parties, including the Government.
