Mr. Hugh Creegan:

We tendered for a contract to provide personnel to us to perform this role. A company called Applus, which also runs the NCT, won the contract. We have agreed with Applus that it will provide 15 personnel to perform enforcement functions throughout the country. All 15 are ex-gardaí but until the Taxi Regulation Act is commenced, we cannot give them the same powers as those of our own authorised officers. As soon as the legislation is commenced, we intend to give them equivalent powers and they will be able to provide the same service as that provided by our own enforcement officers at present. We will have 23 enforcement officers in place during 2015.