Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 26:

In page 19, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following subsection:“(3) A licence holder shall be prohibited from renting his or her licence or taxi to a holder of a stamp 2 visa.”.

The Minister of State has already introduced a section which I complimented that deals with the part-time issue that has bedevilled the industry. This issue deals specifically with stamp 2 licence holders. The Minister of State would know the stamp 2 visa is provided to a person permitted to remain in Ireland to pursue a course of studies on condition that the holder does not engage in any business or profession other than casual employment, which is defined as 20 hours per week while undertaking study during the school term, or up to 40 hours per week during school holidays. This visa is meant to allow people avail of education facilities in this country, and it is generally accepted that any temporary work - although not specifically pointed out - would be related to the direction of their education. It provided for people who may come to the country to study hotel management or work in the catering sector, for example.

It is appropriate that we extend the exclusion to take into account individuals who are here for the purposes outlined and who have a stamp 2 visa. I hope the Minister of State will be able to accept the amendment.