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Taxi Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Questions (1204, 1217, 1218)

Robert Troy

Question:

1204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his reasons for applying further regulation and taxes on taxis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47577/12]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the on-going concerns expressed by taxi drivers and owners in relation to such issues as the introduction of the nine year rule and the difficulty therein without the establishment of a workable taxi scrappage scheme; the reason the vetting system has not been overhauled despite concerns regarding public safety issues in the industry; the reason an independent appeals process has not been granted despite previous promises to give the taxi industry access to the Ombudsman's office; the reason the Taxi Advisory Council was re-appointed to the exclusion of elected representative from the taxi industry and the failure therefore to establish a meaningful forum for dialogue within the industry; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are concerns that the introduction of a SPSV penalty point system will unduly affect full time taxi drivers; and if his attention has been drawn to the anomalies such as an influx of part-time taxi drivers and students on Stamp 2 Visas into the industry. [48089/12]

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Róisín Shortall

Question:

1218. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a single licence holder is prohibited from transferring their taxi licence whilst a multiple licence holder can transfer their plates into company names allowing them to pass on their plates as an asset of a company. [48090/12]

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Written answers

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.

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