Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2013
152. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase and improve facilities for taxis particularly in built-up areas like Dublin city centre in view of the current shortage of ranks which is not simply a result of oversupply. [8584/13]
View answerUnder section 84 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 inserted by section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, the function of allocating road kerb space to taxi ranks is a reserved function of the elected members of the relevant local authorities in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.
Dublin City Council is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of the area comprising of the city of Dublin, including bye-laws regarding the location and number of taxi ranks. With the number of taxis in operation, it is recognised that there is a shortage of taxi rank spaces in many cities and towns. There are frequently competing demands for limited kerb space – deliveries, general parking, bus lay-bys and taxi ranks. The Taxi Regulation Review Report published last year undertook to investigate, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, the potential for the introduction of additional “part-time” rank space during night-time hours at key urban locations.
Reflecting the acuteness of the issue in Dublin City, the NTA has commenced work with Dublin City Council to identify potential locations for additional night time rank space within Dublin City. The NTA has prepared proposals for additional night time taxi ranks at various locations in Dublin City. The proposals comprise the use of certain loading bays as night-time ranks, the use of various bus lanes after the evening peak period has concluded and the use of some pay and display parking areas during evening and night-time hours.
These proposals have been provided by the NTA to Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána for their review and consideration. Both the City Council and An Garda Síochána have completed their initial reviews and identified that while the majority of the proposals could be supported, a number of proposed locations presented certain difficulties. Further discussions are on-going to finalise a set of proposals that the City Council would then bring forward for public consultation as part of draft bye-laws.
