Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014
219. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the powers that will be available to taxi inspectors to question taxi drivers regarding their tax affairs; if there will be a code of practice which prohibits questioning somebody when they have a fare, or are on the side of the road; and the other safeguards that are in place to protect a taxi driver's privacy. [17064/14]
View answer226. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the new rules for taxi drivers the range of powers that will be open to the new inspectors in terms of their ability to question drivers with regard to being tax compliant; and if this in his opinion, constitutes an invasion of privacy and an unacceptable level of harassment. [17063/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 226 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. Section 9(13) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that a licence shall not be granted to an applicant by the licensing authority unless the applicant produces to the licensing authority a current tax clearance certificate. Section 9(14) of the Act provides that the holder of a licence shall, not less than one month or such further period as the NTA may allow, after each anniversary of the grant of the licence give the NTA a current tax clearance certificate. I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
