Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to update regulations for taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52641/12]
View answerTuesday, 27 November 2012
Questions (117, 139, 148, 157)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:139. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to support the continuation of full time taxi licence holders in the industry who are facing much financial hardship due to an oversupply exacerbated by part time drivers and taxi plate rental companies. [52662/12]
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Thomas P. Broughan
Question:148. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the recommendations from the Taxi Commission Report that have been implemented to date; if he intends to take any further actions under the Taxi Commission Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52245/12]
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Dessie Ellis
Question:157. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the development of a Taxi Regulation Bill; when he hopes it will be before Dáil Eireann and if he has a time line planned for the following stages and enactment. [52661/12]
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 139, 148 and 157 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, and is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011.
Overall the thrust of the reforms arising from the Taxi Review will mean better services for consumers and improvements to the operating environment for taxi drivers generally. The measures will seek to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework that is supported by an effecctive enforcement regime. I am also aware that the NTA is undertaking a consultation process in relation to its review of taxi fares which is underway.
The Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 contains 46 separate actions aimed at improving standards, administration and enforcement within the taxi sector. All of the recommendations of the Taxi Review are being progressed by the NTA, with 10 actions already completed, including those relating to the sharing of licensing and operational information between the NTA and the relevant agencies – the Revenue Commissioners, Department of Social Protection and An Garda Síochána. It is my intention that all of the actions arising from that Review will be implemented in full.
I understand that the NTA is to launch an IT portal which will be operational in January 2013 to facilitate a means of establishing the identity of the authorised driver of a small public service vehicle, as proposed under Action 40 of the Review. This will also support the implementation of and the submission of information with regard to taxi rental arrangements in line with Action 39 of the Review which provides that the practice of renting taxi licences only (i.e. without the vehicle) while facilitating the continuation of "full package" taxi rental which includes the vehicle, complete with roof sign, taxi meter and printer. The IT portal will facilitate a mandatory obligation on licence holders for self-declaration concerning details of other employment as proposed under Action 3 of the Review Report, which seeks to ensure, in the case of part-time drivers, improved compliance with working time legislation.
The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012, to be published in this quarter, will replace the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 in order to strengthen the legislative basis for the regulation of the taxi sector and give effect to many of the enforcement measures proposed in the Taxi Review. I hope that the new legislation can be enacted early in the new year.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 112.