Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
313. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the sale of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20957/17]
View answerAction 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 recommended the introduction of a 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 06 April 2014. Special provisions, contained in Section 15 of the 2013 Act, as amended, apply in the case of the death of a licence holder, whereby a person nominated by the licence holder before his/her death may apply to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the grant of a licence of the same category.
The regulation of the SPSV industry is a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016, including administration of the nomination process under section 15. The NTA has also made Regulations relating to rental of a small public service vehicle to another person.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in these matters, I have 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.
