Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason taxis not affiliated to a company (details supplied) are not permitted to work the rank located on the grounds of St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/11]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has been briefed by the National Transport Authority on the fact that the public taxi rank at St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8 has been closed; if he is concerned that members of the public who need to attend St. James's Hospital for medical treatment or to visit a sick relative or friend will not be able to access a taxi on the St. James's campus; his views on the ongoing lack of taxi ranks which are a key part of the public transport infrastructure across Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19594/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 474 together.

The operation and management of the taxi rank at the St. James's Hospital is the responsibility of the Management Board of the hospital. I will arrange to forward the Deputies' questions to my colleague, the Minister for Health for direct response in this regard. Concerning the taxi rank infrastructure in the cities referred to, decisions concerning the location and operation of taxi ranks on public roads, as well as funding for the provision of taxi ranks, are primarily matters for the relevant local authority, as provided for under Section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the taxi sector under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. With regard to taxi ranks the NTA's role relates to the issue of guidance on the planning, design and provision of ranks aimed at improving taxi services to the public, better designed pick-up locations for taxi operators and greater integration of taxi services with the wider public transport system. Last month I announced a Taxi Regulation Review in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. The terms of reference of the review are wide-ranging including the current regulatory policy and practices, licensing systems, enforcement and future dialogue with the taxi sector. The consultation for the review extends to all interested parties and stakeholders through an invitation for written submissions to be made before the end of July.