Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 2

Written Answers. - Taxi Regulations.

John Dennehy

Question:

192 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed taxi regulators will have sufficient powers to ensure that unsuitable persons such as those with convictions for offences against the person are not able to obtain taxi licences and that minimum acceptable standards for cleanliness and courtesy are followed, and that overcharging is dealt with severely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23973/02]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan):

Formal legislative proposals for the office of the national taxi regulator are being prepared which will be brought to Government in the new year.

It is envisaged that the office of the regulator will have a national focus and will have full effective control over the promotion of a professional, efficient and customer-friendly service by taxis, hackneys and limousines, including the overall application of standards and the licensing of taxis, hackneys and limousines.

Existing provisions in the public service vehicle regulations require the Garda Commissioner to be satisfied that an applicant for the grant of a small public service vehicle drivers licence is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence and, in this regard, that the applicant has not been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, would render the person unsuitable to hold a licence to drive small public service vehicles. Furthermore, the Commissioner may at any time revoke a licence to drive small public service vehicles if he considers that the holder of the licence is no longer a fit and proper person to hold such a licence or if at any time during its currency the holder is convicted of an offence under section 53 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, (dangerous driving) or of an offence which in the opinion of the Commissioner renders the person unsuitable to hold such a licence.

The regulations also provide that where the holder of a licence to drive small public service vehicles is convicted of an offence which in the opinion of the court renders the holder unsuitable to hold such a licence, the court may revoke the licence and shall notify the Commissioner of any such revocation.

Overcharging is an offence under the public service vehicle regulations. Those regulations also outline certain duties that are required of drivers of taxis and, since 1 September 2002, it is a condition for the grant or renewal of a taxi licence that the taxi is fitted with a taximeter printer for the purpose of printing automatic receipts for taxi fares. Enforcement of these provisions is the responsibility of the gardaí.