Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
687. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a forum to whom taxi drivers can refer complaints (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17399/14]
View answerThe 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. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011.
The Taxi Regulation Review Report recommended measures to facilitate and improve consultation with the taxi industry. Action 34 of the Report recommended that taxi industry representative groups may make a referral to the Taxi Advisory Committee in relation to the introduction of industry regulations. Action 35 recommended the formation of a sub-committee of the Taxi Advisory Committee to act as a forum for the taxi sector when considering issues of particular concern to the sector. Both of these actions have been implemented.
Action 33 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 recommended the introduction of a review process within the NTA for certain categories of decisions particular to individuals, without prejudice to any statutory appeal provision. This action has also been implemented.
You may also be aware that the NTA, was one of over 180 public bodies which were brought under the remit of the Ombudsman Office with effect from the 1st of May 2013. It is a matter for the Ombudsman’s Office as to what investigations may be undertaken by or on behalf of a reviewable agency in the exercise of its functions.
