Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
1140. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the number of inspections of taxi drivers carried out; if he will consider carrying out more inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58064/12]
View answerThe regulation of the taxi industry, including enforcement issues, is the overall responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA), assisted by the Garda Síochána.
I want to discourage the rogue operators who make it tough for the legally compliant operators to earn a living. Many of the key recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 relate to enforcement and compliance matters, involving both ‘on street’ and ‘off-street’ enforcement of the taxi regulations.
Concerning ‘on street’ enforcement specifically, there has been very good cooperation between An Garda Síochána and the NTA on enforcement issues this year and a substantial number of joint operations have been undertaken.
In relation to small public service vehicles, the NTA carried out over fourteen and a half thousand on-street vehicle checks as part of their enforcement activities during 2012. These on-street vehicle checks continue to show a high degree of compliance with the relevant regulations. In addition, An Garda Siochana also carried out a significant number of vehicle checks on small public service vehicles, both as part of joint operations carried out in conjunction with the NTA and as part of their normal road traffic policing activities.
The NTA is currently drafting an enforcement plan for 2013 which will be coordinated with An Garda Síochána's policing plan for 2013. That will assist with continued co-operation during 2013.
In addition, as recommended under Actions 21 and 25 of the Review Report, Garda powers are to be extended to allow members of An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charged notices with respect to additional SPSV fixed charge offences. It is anticipated that in 2013 regulations will be made following commencement of Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 2010.
The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 will support the enforcement measures proposed in the Taxi Review Report. The provisions of the Bill will further support measures to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework supported by an effective enforcement regime. The Bill is to be introduced in the Seanad this month.
