Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will not be accepting these amendments. The representation of SPSV, small public service vehicles operators, on the taxi advisory committee already provides the flexibility for representation from single and multiple licenceholders. These amendments do not improve the current provision in the Bill, which is a restatement of the statute under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003.

Under amendment No. 96, it is not clear how the proposed system of furnishing evidence concerning representation would work or how this could be verified. It is impractical and not appropriate as an inclusion in the Bill.

I do not believe any Minister has met with the industry’s representatives as much as I have. I take on board the views of every representative group, of which there are many, made to me. The taxi advisory committee works well with the National Transport Authority. Their recommendations are well reflected in this legislation. I do not believe a change from the 2003 Act is necessary and that the flexibility is there.