Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
37. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport who the four representatives from thetaxi industry on the NTA advisory committee on SPSV are; and if any of the four represent the sizeable amount of leasing drivers. [26473/23]
View answerThe Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs), also known as the Taxi Advisory Committee, was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to provide both the Minister and the NTA with advice in relation to small public service vehicles and their drivers.
The Committee is the primary forum for dealing with issues affecting the sector and many of the measures taken to date have originated as recommendations from the Committee, including the extension of taxi age limits and the waiver of licence fees. Membership represents a broad range of interests and stakeholders. Drivers are important members of the Committee, and four positions are reserved to represent driver interests. There are currently five positions filled by licenced SPSV drivers from across the country and I am satisfied that this ensures the Committee’s advice is informed by the perspective of drivers. The Committee also features dispatch operators, passenger representatives, members representing the interests of disabled passengers and older passengers, members from the tourist industry, local government and from An Garda Síochána. Such broad and diverse representation is important when considering SPSV policy issues.
There is currently one vacancy on the Committee. The NTA, on behalf of the Minister, is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position. The terms of office of a number of other Committee members are due to expire later this year and next year and the filling of those vacancies is currently being considered. The table below shows the existing membership of the Committee.
|
Membership of the Committee |
|
Cornelius O’Donohoe, Chairperson |
|
Alan Cooley (representing SPSV and driver interests) |
|
Francis Doheny (representing SPSV and driver interests) |
|
John Murphy (representing SPSV and driver interests) |
|
Shajedul Chowdhury (representing SPSV and driver interests) |
|
Paul Gregan (representing SPSV and driver interests) |
|
Brendan O’Brien (representing local authorities) |
|
Superintendent Tom Murphy (representing An Garda Síochána) |
|
James Cawley (representing consumers' interests) |
|
Michelle Reid (representing consumers' interests) |
|
Joan Carthy (representing the interests of persons with disabilities) |
|
Ann Campbell (representing the interests of business) |
|
Mai Quaid (representing the interests of older persons) |
|
Paul Keeley (representing the interests of tourism) |
|
James O’Brien (special interest or expertise) |
|
Noel Ebbs (special interest or expertise) |
|
Fiona Brady (special interest or expertise) |
|
Vacancy |
