Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank Mr. McGuinness for his presentation. I have a number of questions for the delegates.

Mr. McGuinness has mentioned that the organisation proposes to submit a number of amendments to the Bill. I look forward to receiving them.

On the lack of taxi ranks, which is the responsibility of the local authorities and causing much concern for many members of TTnH, I do not know how this issue can be addressed. The rank outside the Gresham Hotel comes to mind, as there is always a lengthy queue of taxis, causing many taxis to double park. Under the proposed regulations, a fines and penalty points system will be introduced. Perhaps Mr. McGuinness might elaborate on the problems he foresees in this regard.

On the issue of offences, the Minister has stated this process will apply retrospectively to the taxi industry. He has also mentioned that almost 6,000 registered taxi drivers have some conviction. This means that in some cases taxi drivers will have their licences suspended or revoked. The legal advice I have obtained on that issue is that this cannot be done. While I propose to pursue the matter, it will also have to be taken up by someone involved in the taxi industry. As I have repeatedly said, under the Good Friday Agreement, there are people who should be exempt from these so-called offences. Regardless, it is illegal.

Another issue which has not been gone into in much detail in the submission is that of the vetting procedures involved. Perhaps Mr. McGuinness might give his views on the matter. In other countries a person must be resident for three years before applying for a licence. On the issue of transferability, the Minister has indicated he proposes to introduce an amendment to deal with the issue. Perhaps Mr. McGuinness might set out what he believes should happen in this regard.