Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the initiatives that have been taken. Great praise is due to Dublin Bus in respect of what it has done with regard to what has been something of a sore point for many years. During the debate on the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 in the Seanad, Senator Barrett referred to the legal position of existing taxi drivers as against that of those who are coming into the trade now. He pointed out that existing drivers are not legally obliged to provide wheelchair access but that those entering the trade now are obliged to do so. I am not sure whether that is the case but perhaps the Minister of State will indicate what is the current position for new entrants to the taxi industry. Are these people legally obliged to provide wheelchair access? If so, has the process in this regard been successful or has there been resistance to it? Is it the case that, as Deputy Ellis stated, a financial difficulty has arisen for certain individuals? What is the current legal position with regard to increasing the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis throughout the country?