Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023
65. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 2 March 2023, the degree to which his Department monitors the transfer of taxi licences; if he is aware of social media sites facilitating the transfer of licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32898/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the transfer of licences for SPSVs is prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. All SPSV vehicle licences are unique to the person to whom the licence has been issued and cannot be transferred or sold to another person.
In 2011, the Taxi Review Group examined standards and practice in the taxi sector. The Review Group considered that it was necessary to move away from a system whereby a licence would have value. Instead, a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market. Therefore, the current licensing regime is built on this principle. The Advisory Committee on SPSVs sent advice to me on this subject which indicates that it is not in favour of reverting to a legal situation which allows for the transferability of SPSV licences. I have considered the Committee's Report and I accept the Committee's advice on this issue.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry including licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
