Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
250. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow for taxi plates to be sold on by taxi drivers should they choose to leave the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36613/16]
View answerAction 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 recommended the prohibition on the transferability of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences. The Taxi Regulation Review Group included representatives of the taxi industry and its recommendations were widely publicised to the industry, including through the National Transport Authority's website and industry updates.
The underlying principle for the recommendation was that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market. The measure was provided for in Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 which was commenced with effect from 6th April 2014.
Special provisions, contained in Section 15 of the 2013 Act, apply in the case of the death of a licence holder, whereby a licence may continue to be operated by a person nominated by the licence holder before his/her death.
The regulation of the SPSV industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, including administration of the nomination process under section 15 and the requirements relating to rental of a small public service vehicle to another person.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
