Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020
811. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the taxi licences of vehicles to all licence holders beyond the 31 December 2020 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10493/20]
View answer813. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if special measures will be put in place to ensure that taxi drivers can avail of NCT tests in order to ensure they can resume work in view of the fact that a taxi driver needs a valid NCT in order for the taxi licence to be renewed; if not, if they can have their taxi licence renewed on a special basis until such time that they can obtain a NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10532/20]
View answer819. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi owners will be off the road after 26 July 2020 if their NCT and suitability expires, in view of the fact they are unable to get an appointment for the NCT and suitability test for their taxi prior to 26 July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10560/20]
View answer875. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures in place for taxi vehicles to complete licence renewals requiring national car tests that are unavailable or to make a booking to have the annual small public service vehicle suitability test completed when this requires a NCT test; if penalties will be waived for the duration that testing facilities are unavailable and for an adequate time after they reopen to allow taxi owners to complete the renewal process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11304/20]
View answer898. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the renewals for taxi licences falling due from 16 June 2020 until the end of phase 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business for an additional period in view of the backlogs at NCT centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11642/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 811, 813, 819, 875 and 898 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including regulatory measures in response to the present COVID-19 pandemic, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
