Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 March 2012
14 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the taxi report and a schedule for legislation which will be needed. [16851/12]
View answer26 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has outlined a time frame for implementing the recommendations of the recent report of the Taxi Review Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16549/12]
View answer33 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is preparing any new legislation to implement the recommendations of the recent Report of the Taxi Review Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16550/12]
View answer37 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations of the taxi report and a schedule for legislation which is going to be needed. [16853/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 26, 33 and 37 together.
The Taxi Regulation Review Report proposes 46 separate actions aimed at improving standards, administration and enforcement of the regulations for the taxi sector. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report.
The timeframe set out in the Review Report indicates that many of these actions are to be implemented in the short-term throughout 2012 and in the medium-term after 2012. Work is progressing on the remaining short-term actions of the Review Report to ensure that they are completed this year. The work required to further develop the medium-term actions proposed in the Taxi Review Report is also being undertaken by the NTA this year, with a view to their implementation post-2012.
Some of the actions in the Review Report will require supporting legislation. Where possible, the NTA will make the necessary regulations under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. My Department has responsibility for any primary legislation that is required. In this regard, officials of my Department are currently preparing a draft Scheme of a Taxi Regulation Bill to address key recommendations of the Taxi Review Report. In particular, this legislation will provide the necessary amendment to address the proportionality of Section 36 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 concerning mandatory disqualification from holding a licence upon conviction of a criminal offence. I expect to be in a position to bring the Taxi Regulation (Amendment) Bill 2012 to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the second quarter of this year.
