Damien English
Ceist:153 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport the timescale for the establishing of standards in the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/03]
Written Answers. - Taxi Regulations.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:155 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to publish legislation on the establishment of a statutory taxi regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13700/03]
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:165 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in publishing the taxi regulator Bill in view of his promise to establish a statutory regulator by mid-2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13665/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153, 155 and 165 together.
The licensing and operation of public service vehicles, including taxis, are currently governed by the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 to 2002 which are made under the Road Traffic Acts.
The agreed programme for Government sets out commitments in relation to taxi services including the appointment of a regulator for the future regulation of licensing, standards and the quality of service. On 19 November 2002 the Government approved proposals for the establishment, initially on a non-statutory basis, of an office of national taxi regulator.
Subject to the enactment of legislation, it is envisaged that the office of the taxi regulator will have a national focus and will have full effective control over the promotion of a professional, efficient and customer friendly service by all small public service vehicles, including taxis, hackneys and limousines. This will include the overall development and application of standards for drivers, licence holders and for vehicles.
The preparation of the necessary legislation to support the establishment of a commission for taxi regulation is proceeding as a matter of urgency in my Department and I hope to be in a position to bring detailed proposals in this regard to Government following a consultation process with other Departments which is currently under way.
While the necessary legislative changes are being prepared, the appointment of a chairman of the commission is being progressed independently in order that the office can be operational on a non-statutory basis. Proposals relating to the creation of this post and an allied staff support framework are the subject of consultation with the Department of Finance.
As an interim measure, I have also appointed an interim chairman of the Commission, Mr. Jimmy Farrelly, pending the recruitment of a statutory chairman. Mr. Farrelly has commenced a series of detailed consultations with those involved in the taxi, hackney and limousine industry, local authorities, the Garda Síochána and other interest groups with a view to assessing and addressing issues relating to standards in the industry. I have indicated that I am prepared to act on any recommendations proposed by Mr. Farrelly for urgent changes to the current regu lations on standards proposed following this consultation.
Separate proposals are also being progressed to establish an advisory council, consisting of representatives of the industry, local authorities, the Garda Síochána, consumer, disability, tourism and business interests, and other relevant sectors, to advise the commission for taxi regulation and the Minister for Transport, as appropriate, in relation to issues relevant to small public service vehicles and their drivers.
Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 104.
Question No. 155 answered with Question No. 153.
Question No. 156 answered with Question No. 105.
Question No. 157 answered with Question No. 82.
Question No. 158 answered with Question No. 104.
Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 105.