Vol. 481 No. 4
220 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the necessary by-laws will be sanctioned to enable taxi ranks to be established in Athlone and Mullingar, County Westmeath; the reason for the delay within his Department in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16121/97]
The creation of bye-laws in relation to the establishing of taxi ranks is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and I have no direct function in the matter. I am informed, however, by the Garda authorities that following agreement between local interested parties on a schedule of taxi ranks, draft bye-laws for Athlone are being prepared by the Commissioner for submission to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government for his approval.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that consultation at local level in respect of a schedule of taxi ranks for Mullingar is at an advanced stage. When the schedule is agreed draft by-laws will be forwarded by the Commissioner to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government for his approval.
