Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
75 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the discussions he has had with the Department of Finance regarding the decentralisation of the NSAI to Arklow and the impact this will have on the taxi industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20324/04]
View answerDiscussions regarding the modalities of the decentralisation of the National Standards Authority of Ireland to Arklow between my Department and the Department of Finance are ongoing. The NSAI furnished an appropriate implementation plan to the decentralisation implementation group last May and that plan identifies impacts of the move on the business of the authority. The authority is currently developing a plan to ensure continuity of services during and post the decentralisation process.
Taxis throughout the State are subject to the provisions of legal metrology legislation and inspections and verifications are carried on nationally through a network of regional verification centres, RVCs. There are seven such centres located around the country and the RVC at Poppintree, Ballymun, services the taxi industry and other traders located in the greater Dublin area.
I understand from the NSAI that while legal metrology staff located in the NSAI's headquarters in Glasnevin will decentralise to Arklow this move will not involve the re-location of the Poppintree regional verification centre. The move of the NSAI to Arklow will not, therefore, alter the inspection and verification regime as it applies to the taxi industry.
