Catherine Murphy
Question:
267. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the level of authority An Garda Síochána has to inspect all aspects and-or particulars of professional drivers at taxi ranks and-or roadside checks; if An Garda Síochána is co-ordinating with the NTA taxi inspectors over Christmas 2018 and the 2019 new year period in conducting rank and roadside checks of vehicles and documentation to ensure full compliance with taxi regulations and traffic laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53913/18]
View answer
The Deputy will appreciate that I have no direct role in the enforcement of road traffic legislation, which is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I have requested a report from An Garda Síochána, and will provide this information directly to the Deputy on receipt of said report.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question 267 of 19 December 2018, in which the Deputy asked for information pertaining to taxi inspections over Christmas and the New Year period.
As the Deputy will recall, a report on this matter was requested from An Garda Síochána. I am informed that, in addition to the powers conferred on An Garda Síochána under Road Traffic legislation to stop and examine vehicles, members of An Garda Síochána also have all powers provided to NTA Inspectors under the Taxi Regulations.
The table indicates the number of coordinated operations An Garda Síochána planned with the NTA over Christmas 2018 and the New Year 2019.
I am further informed that, in addition to coordinated operations with the NTA, An Garda Síochána also conduct regular standalone operations, with enforcement of Taxi Regulations included as part of the current Operation Open City and Christmas/New Year enforcement campaigns. These operations include conducting taxi rank and roadside checks of vehicles and documentation to ensure full compliance with taxi regulations and Road Traffic legislation.
I hope this information has been of some assistance to the Deputy.
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DMR Region
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6
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Eastern Region
|
2
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Northern Region
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0
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South Eastern Region
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0
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Southern Region
|
6
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Western Region
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5
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