Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the course of its proceedings, Dáil Éireann voted to include an amendment proposed by Deputy Munster providing for the regulation of rickshaws. The amendment inserts a new power for the NTA. The NTA has since advised the Department that its legal advice suggests that it may not be possible to implement robust and legally defensible regulations covering rickshaws under the new section in the 2016 Act. I believe this is what I argued when we were going through with it. I am not reluctant to put it through and I would be very happy to, but I think it may cause other difficulties. It will be recalled that at the time the amendment was proposed, concern was raised about the amendment, given that it was not drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel or approved by the Office of the Attorney General for its legal robustness, as would normally be the case. Legal advice is being sought on the implications of the provision. The Department is also waiting for proposals from the NTA on an alternative approach to amending the Taxi Regulation Act to allow for the proper licensing and regulation of rickshaws.

I think the Deputy might have a point there. It looks to me as if we are waiting for the NTA. I will get in touch with it again this week and ask what is happening about rickshaws. Is that all right?