Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
240. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider buying back taxi licences from those who wish to retire as a result of not being able to work due to the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22215/20]
View answerThe current licensing regime for Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs) is built upon the principle that the purpose of a licence is to indicate a person’s suitability to carry out a function and to ensure that the holder of a licence is subject to lawful conditions and restrictions. As such, a licence should not have, by association, a monetary value or be tradeable on the open market. Accordingly, there is no basis for a "buy back" scheme of the type outlined by the Deputy.
