Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will not be accepting this amendment. This provision under section 19 of the Bill enables the NTA to make regulations concerning standard of conduct, general behaviour, deportment or dress of persons operating SPSVs. This is a restatement and clarification of the existing provision under section 34(6) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, as passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, providing that the authority can specify conditions and requirements of SPSV drivers concerning their general behaviour, dress code and conduct. The NTA receives numerous complaints about these issues. Regulations made in this area can only improve and promote standards of professionalism in the industry. As with all of the powers conferred on the NTA, it is incumbent on it to ensure that these powers are exercised reasonably.