Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2013
749. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is entitled to transfer their vehicle and taxi plate to their child; if he will outline the areas of regulation that deal with vehicle and licence transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9851/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to the transfer of small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.
Since January 2009 SPSV licences, including vehicle licences for taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys, wheelchair accessible hackneys and limousines, have been issued on the basis that they are non-transferrable. Licences issued prior to that date can be transferred only once.
The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 provides for a prohibition on the transfer of all SPSV vehicle licences, in line with Action 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011. The underlying principle for the prohibition on transfer is that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market.
I am considering separately the matter of the death of an SPSV licence holder, for example where there is a requirement for continuity of a family business, and I intend addressing this matter in the current leglisation. With regard to the specific subject of the Deputy's question, I have referred the matter to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response is not received within 10 working days.
