Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2004
149 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if standards for wheelchair accessible taxis, applied by the carriage office, are compatible with EU legislation; the reasons and nature of the derogation in force for Ireland in respect of the legislation; his plans to change the regulations; his plans to allow purpose built accessible taxis to be imported from member states. [17111/04]
View answerThe licensing and operation of small public service vehicles, including wheelchair accessible taxis, is governed by the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, inclusive, and the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, inclusive.
Under these regulations a licence may only be granted following presentation of a vehicle test certificate and certificate of suitability issued by the national car testing service. It confirms that the vehicle is suitable for the purpose of being licensed as a taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi, hackney or limousine, as appropriate. The testing of a vehicle for taxi licensing purposes is undertaken by NCTS in accordance with the relevant regulatory requirements, including the requirements for a wheelchair accessible taxi in the case of such a licence application. I am unaware of specific EU legislation on wheelchair accessible taxis.
There is nothing to preclude the licensing of purpose built accessible taxis as taxis here in the existing public service vehicle regulations. Obviously they must meet the general roadworthiness and taxi suitability requirements.
The Government is committed in An Agreed Programme for Government to continue the process of making taxis wheelchair accessible. A number of complex issues concerning the implementation of the accessible taxi policy have yet to be decided. They include improvements to the existing wheelchair accessible taxi specification to accommodate the greatest possible range of people, issues surrounding urban-rural needs and the cost of suitable vehicles. These issues will be addressed by a statutory commission for taxi regulation when it is established. This will be done as part of the development of new small public service vehicle standards.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 specifically provides that one of the commission's objectives is to promote access to small public service vehicles by persons with disabilities. It must determine the future policy on accessible taxis. Specific discussions with both disability and taxi representative groups will be necessary. The commission will also determine the manner and timeframe to implement standards for accessible taxi services.
Pending the commission's establishment, I have indicated to its advisory council that I want its advice on a range of issues on the enhancement and standards for small public service vehicles and their drivers. The issues covered include general vehicle condition and appearance and accessibility for persons with mobility and sensory difficulties.
