I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, as well as matters of enforcement and compliance in the SPSV sector, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NTA held a public consultation recently on the proposed Small Public Service Vehicle (Fixed Payment Offences and Driver Licence Period) Regulations. The main purpose of the Regulations is to amend Schedule 8 of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 (SI. No. 33 of 2015) in relation to the prescribed amounts for fixed payment offences, and the addition of a prescribed amount for offences in relation to unreasonable refusal to provide services to a passenger seated in their wheelchair. 47 submissions were received which the NTA will evaluate before the Regulations are made.
Regarding the Advisory Committee on SPSVs, Section 72 (4) (e) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 stipulates that membership of the Commitee will include at least one person representing the interests of persons with disabilities. At present, the National Advocacy Manager for the Irish Wheelchair Association represents the interests of persons with disabilities on the Committee.
The Advisory Committee has been and will remain the central focus of engagement with the SPSV sector in relation to issues affecting the sector. The Committee's function is to provide advice to the NTA and myself, as Minister for Transport, on issues relating to the sector. The Committee's membership represents a broad range of interests and stakeholders, including four positions for SPSV drivers. The Committee is the primary forum for dealing with issues affecting the sector and many of the measures taken to date have originated as recommendations from the Committee.
The table below outlines the current membership of the Taxi Advisory Committee:
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Mr. Cornelius O’Donohoe
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Chairperson
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Mr. Alan Cooley
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representing small public service vehicle and driver interests
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Mr. Francis Doheny
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representing small public service vehicle and driver interests
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Mr. John Murphy
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representing small public service vehicle and driver interests
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Mr. Paul Gregan
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representing small public service vehicle and driver interests
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Mr. Brendan O'Brien
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representing local authorities
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Superintendent Thomas Murphy
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An Garda Síochána representative
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Mr. James Cawley
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representing the interests of consumers
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Ms. Michelle Reid
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representing the interests of consumers
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Ms. Joan Carthy
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representing the interests of persons with disabilities
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Ms. Ann Campbell
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representing the interests of business
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Ms. Mai Quaid
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representing the interests of older persons
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Mr. Al Ryan
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representing the interests of tourism
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Mr. James O’Brien
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representing special interest or expertise
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Mr. Noel Ebbs
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representing special interest or expertise
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Ms. Fiona Brady
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representing special interest or expertise
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Mr.Shajedul Chowdhury
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representing small public service vehicle and driver interests
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