Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witness for the presentation. Sections 2 and 3 amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Section 7 refers to the fitness of a person who is driving a taxi and whether they can handle somebody who is disabled. Is it not the process that one gets a doctor's certificate to go into the industry in the first place and then one must have a test on an ongoing basis? There will be some older taxi drivers or people who would not have the ability to lift a person who is disabled into a car. What is the rule in that regard? Do they refuse to take the person or say they are unable to take the person? I am not sure that asking them to sign a declaration that they are fit and so forth is the norm in any industry. Can the witness explain that?

Regarding a vehicle failing a test and a person is then suspended for two months while an appeal takes place, what if that is only a minor issue with the taxi and not a bad mechanical issue? Is it fair to say that somebody cannot drive their taxi? They will not have earnings. It appears to be very punitive. Will the witness explain if there are any exceptions if it is only a minor matter or a small issue to do with the interior of the taxi or otherwise, or is this purely a mechanical matter?

The extension from three months to nine months is quite reasonable. With regard to the payment of 50% in section 48, I do not know why we continue to do this. It is an extra charge of 50% for somebody who might not make a deadline. Why are we putting such a heavy burden on people? I know people should not do things if it is wrong to do them, but 50% is a massive amount for a penalty. It is way over the top.

Finally, EU Directive 2012/34 requires each member state to form a regulatory body to monitor competition. This is another road to privatisation. How will this be introduced here? Introducing this in the rail services is another way of introducing privatisation. How will that be managed by the NTA?