Robert Dowds
Question:784 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to developments arising from the taxi review. [20164/12]
View answerTuesday, 24 April 2012
Questions (691, 692, 693, 694)
Robert Dowds
Question:785 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider having the county in which the driver is registered specified on the roof sign of the taxi; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20165/12]
View answerRobert Dowds
Question:786 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the visibility of fares and charges within taxis. [20166/12]
View answer
Robert Troy
Question:791 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider a current proposal which will prevent owners of taxi companies from passing on their business to next generations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20243/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 784 to 786, inclusive, and 791 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory body responsible, in accordance with the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, for the regulation of the taxi sector in Ireland, including issues related to the transfer of SPSV licences, controls on fares and related charges and the area of operation for licensed drivers. I will arrange for your correspondence to be forwarded to the NTA for direct reply where appropriate. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.
I should add that the NTA is currently working on progressing recommendations contained in the Taxi Regulation Review Report in accordance with the timeframes set out in the Report.
The Review Group agreed to introduce a prohibition on the transferability of taxi vehicle licences such that after 1st October 2012 all taxi vehicle licences will be unique to the person to whom the licence has been issued and cannot be transferred or sold to another individual. I understand that the NTA are currently examining future arrangments for multiple licence holders including those who operate family businesses.