asked the Minister for Local Government the number of taxi and hackney plates in Dublin in 1956 and 1966; and the qualifications necessary for obtaining a plate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Taxi and Hackney Plates.
73.
I am informed that at 31st December, 1956, the number of licensed taxis in the Dublin area was 572 and the number of licensed hackneys was 275. At the corresponding date in 1966 the numbers were 945 and 572 respectively.
Under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963, the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána is responsible for the issue of public service vehicle licences. Before a licence for a public hire vehicle, i.e. a taxi, may be issued, the Commissioner must be satisfied that, in respect of character and previous conduct, the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold the licence and that the vehicle complies with the requirements for public hire vehicles laid down in the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. The vehicle may not be operated in a taximeter area unless it is fitted with a taximeter. On application for a hackney licence the Commissioner must be satisfied that the vehicle is safe for the carriage of passengers.
74.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he now proposes to accede to the representations made to him to take steps, including the introduction of legislation, to limit the number of taxi plates in Dublin with a view to increasing the efficiency of the taxi service and making it possible for taximen to earn a decent livelihood without working long hours with consequential danger to their own health and to the public.
The representations made to me by a deputation from the Irish Taxi Owners Co-operative Society Limited on a number of matters concerning the operation of taxis and hackneys involved consultation with other interested bodies before a decision on the matters raised by the deputation could be taken. I am arranging for the reception of a deputation from the Society to discuss matters relating to the taxi service in Dublin and I propose to defer my decision until I have had an opportunity to consider the points made by the deputation.