I propose to take Questions Nos. 1204, 1217 and 1218 together.
The recommendations contained in the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 reflect the agreement of the Taxi Review Group and are aimed at facilitating better services for consumers and improving the operating environment for taxi drivers generally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report.
I will bring a proposal to Cabinet shortly for the publication a Taxi Regulation Bill, 2012, which will replace the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 and extend the regulatory framework to give effect to recommendations from the Taxi Review concerning enforcement. The enforcement regime provided for in the Bill will be based on an intensified approach to tackling non-compliance depending on the gravity of the criminal offence or compliance failure.
Among other enforcement measures, the Bill will provide for the mandatory disqualification of taxi drivers upon conviction of certain criminal offences, which will complement existing Garda vetting of taxi drivers. The Bill will also provide for the temporary disqualification from holding a licence upon the accumulation of a specified number of demerits for specified breaches of the taxi regulations.
Compliance with the taxi regulations is a prerequisite for operating in the taxi industry. As proposed in the Taxi Review the establishment of the PPSN as the key data reference number for data sharing will greatly strengthen the investigation and enforcement capability of the relevant agencies: the NTA, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection.
The Taxi Regulation Bill will also provide for the prohibition on the transfer of a vehicle licence, including in circumstance concerning the change of ownership of a company.
Concerning vehicle standards and the age of some vehicles currently operating in the industry, the Taxi Review Group proposed to allow vehicles licensed before 2009 to continue to operate for up to fourteen years subject to a twice yearly NCT test. This will allow some time for vehicle owners and drivers to adjust to the new standards regime.
It is acknowledged that some of the measures proposed by the Taxi Review may lead to increased costs for individuals. However this will be offset by the benefits to the industry in terms of a better regulated and safer taxi sector.
In considering the future approach to regulation of the industry, including the matter of appeals, the Taxi Review Group felt it was appropriate to propose measures allowing a right of reply to individual taxi operators and to the taxi industry. Action 33 proposes a review process concerning certain decisions particular to the individual and Action 34 would allow industry representative groups to make referrals to the Taxi Advisory Committee concerning the introduction of industry regulations, with Action 35 proposing a sub-committee to consider issues of particular concern to the taxi sector.
The Taxi Advisory Committee which I appointed during this summer includes representatives of small public service vehicle and driver interests in line with the provisions of Section 54 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003.