Vol. 559 No. 1
355 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the total revenue raised through the issuing of taxi licences since deregulation; if it is intended to use all or part of the money generated in this way to address hardship cases of those who suffered financially as a result of deregulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25394/02]
356 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to the Exchequer of the taxi hardship panel, including all auxiliary costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25395/02]
357 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the total anticipated cost of the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the taxi hardship panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25396/02]
358 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport when the payments recommended by the taxi hardship panel will be made; if all the hardship element identified by the panel will be paid, or if is expected that a contribution only will be made in respect of hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25397/02]
359 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of FAIR will be in Brussels to attend hearings in connection with their petition to the European Parliament arising from taxi deregulation; if, in view of this, he will publish the report of the taxi hardship panel and the Government response to it in advance of that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25398/02]
364 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in publishing the report from the taxi hardship panel; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 359, inclusive, and No. 364 together.
Under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963 to 2002, the granting of taxi licences is the responsibility of individual local licensing authorities and any licence fee revenue received by the local authorities is paid into the county or municipal fund as appropriate. Specific detailed information regarding the total taxi licence fee revenue received to date by local authorities since taxi liberalisation is not available in my Department.
As stated in the Agreed Programme for Government, the Government is committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the taxi hardship panel.
