asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when taxi drivers in Dublin and Cork will be compensated for the rise in petrol prices; and if it is proposed to retain the meter system.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taxi Drivers' Costs.
10.
I have recently received an application for an increase in taxi fares from the Cork Taxi Association. The application is being submitted to the National Prices Commission and a decision will be given as soon as possible following receipt of their recommendations. No application for an increase in fares has been received recently from taximen in the Dublin taxi meter area.
I understand that the Minister for Local Government proposes to retain the meter system.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that up to now taxi fares in Dublin and Cork have been fixed by the local authorities for these areas and that, apparently, there is no action by the Government to compensate for increased petrol prices? Can the Parliamentary Secretary indicate whether there will be a speedy decision in this regard?
Representations made to the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Finance by the Irish Taxi Federation regarding delays inherent in the existing fare fixing process and the resolution adopted by Dublin City Council resulted in the decision by the Minister for Local Government to make the Road Traffic Public Service Vehicles (Amendment) Regulations, 1975. These came into effect from 24th February last and mean that the fixing of maximum taxi fares in the Dublin and Cork taxi meter areas is no longer the function of the local authorities in those areas and that application for future increases in fares will be made direct by the taximen's associations to the Minister for Industry and Commerce. I have indicated that one application which has been received—that from the Cork Taxi Association—has been referred by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to the National Prices Commission. I presume that a similar procedure will be adopted in relation to any other application which may be made to the Minister.
I realise that the Parliamentary Secretary is answering on behalf of the Minister for Industry and Commerce and, consequently, I do not wish to press him too hard on this issue but would be agree that the recent increase in the price of petrol has made life exceedingly difficult for the ordinary taxi driver who is endeavouring to make a living from his vehicle? Indeed, the increase has made it almost impossible for him to survive. In these circumstances I wonder whether the Minister would give favourable consideration to making available some fairly substantial quantities of petrol to registered taxi drivers at a reduced rate of duty? In other words, would the Minister be prepared to consider a rebate of duty in the present difficult circumstances?
The Deputy is raising a separate matter.
A decision on that matter would not be a function of the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
I am conveying the suggestion to the Parliamentary Secretary so that he may, in turn, convey it to the Minister.