Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
1497. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, if the vacancies referred to have been filled; if not, the reason for the delay in the appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36896/17]
View answer1498. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, the steps he will take to rectify the lack of balance (details supplied) on the Taxi Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1497 and 1498 together.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) shall consist of a Chairperson and 17 ordinary members. The 2013 Act also sets out requirements with regard to categories of representation.
Three of the four vacancies to which you referred have since been filled. These positions were under the 'special interest or expertise' category. The applications for these positions were submitted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the positions were fulfilled in line with the new State Appointments Procedures.
In appointing members to the Committee, every effort is made, insofar as is practicable, to ensure that there is both rural and urban representation in the composition of the Committee in line with the 2013 Act.
Section 72 of that Act provides that appointments are for a period not exceeding 3 years. As the membership of the previous TAC expired on 31 July 2015, the existing TAC members have either been appointed or re-appointed until 31 July 2018.
Accordingly, the process to appoint new members will begin shortly and will take into account, insofar as is practicable, the requirements on diversity of membership under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
