With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
Under regulations recently made by me it is the function of the local authority concerned to determine the number, if any, of new taxi licences which may be granted by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána in the period from 1 November 1978 to 1 September 1979 and thereafter in any period of one year. The regulations also provide that an application by the owner of a vehicle for such a licence be made to the Commissioner in the period 1-14 November 1978 after which it is a function of the local authority to specify application periods. Applications must be made in the form and manner directed by the Commissioner, and may be obtained at the local Garda station.
In the case of the Cork taximeter area, the Cork Corporation are the relevant local authority to determine the number of new licences and application periods.