I thank the Cathaoirleach for taking this item on the Adjournment. I have raised it on two previous occasions and am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Molloy, is present to respond.
Until recently, the Garda Síochána interpreted the provisions pertaining to the regulations arising from section 34 of the 1963 Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicle) Regulations in a certain way. However, arising from a recent instruction from the Garda Commissioner's office, they have refused to issue public service vehicle licences to persons with full-time jobs. This is causing a major problem in my town of Mullingar and its sister town of Athlone. For the purposes of interpretation, a small public service vehicle is a hackney, taxi or minibus. Much of the work of small time operators is done at weekends, that is Thursday to Sunday, and perhaps on a bank holiday.
The difficulty arises from the new position regarding the issuing of licences to people who have full-time jobs. The regulations clearly state that a person who applies for a full-time licence of a small public service vehicle must sign a declaration stating he or she is available for 40 hours per week and that they will drive no more than 11 hours per day in any three consecutive days. We all support and commend the concept of people obtaining full-time jobs. However, as regards small time operators, the work does not exist to sustain that. The small time operator of a taxi, hackney or minibus cannot afford to pay a person for 40 hours per week. I suggest an amendment be made to the regulations so that a declaration could be signed by a person that they were available for 20, 22 or 24 hours per week. The purpose of this would be to give the small time operator, the person with one car, the opportunity to have a break. Most of their business is at weekends and on bank holidays.
We are all aware of the pivotal role played by the small public service vehicle in the safety of people going out for a casual drink or who wish to go home at night in safety. I regret that the streets of our towns, cities and villages are not as safe as they were 30 years ago or even ten years ago. We must all now look over our shoulders. Unfortunately, they are the times in which we live, but that is a different debate. However, the small public service vehicle plays an important role in ensuring people get to and from the places they want to go. They have also substantially improved the situation pertaining to drink driving.
I ask that amending regulations be introduced to allow licences to be issued to people who would be able to drive 20, 22 or 24 hours per week. It is something which could be taken up by the Minister and his Department and I ask him to look favourably on these proposals. The Garda Commissioner is empowered under the regulations to grant licences to people for the purposes of driving hackneys or taxis. However, while licences were issued in the past to people who had full-time jobs, as a result of a new and correct interpretation of current regulations, they will now only be issued to people who are available for 40 hours per week. There is a scarcity of drivers and I ask for favourable consideration of the recommendations I have made.
