Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 28 November 2018

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

General Scheme of Taxi Regulation (Amendment) (Rickshaw) Bill 2018: Discussion

1:30 pm

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to engage in this pre-legislative scrutiny and the fact that at long last a Bill is coming forward. That is not intended as criticism of the officials, and I know that for a long time the Minister was considering an outright ban of rickshaws. I welcome that he has rowed back on his opinion and he intends to regulate them instead. Rickshaws offer an alternative mode of transport, not least in large urban areas which suffer from significant congestion. Outside the 3Arena or any large sporting event, rickshaws are a welcome mode of transport to transport people from congested areas to the city centre or wherever. It is from that perspective that I welcome the Minister's change of heart.

Deputy Munster and I tabled amendments to a road traffic Bill in December 2016 that would have had a similar effect to that which is proposed in the legislation, namely, giving the NTA powers to bring forward regulations. While the Bill is welcome, therefore, we have wasted almost two years through the lack of regulation. Again, that is not the officials' fault but rather it is that of the political masters of the day.

Is there scope within the Bill to the amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to address the currently very restricted transfer of taxi licences? Is there an opportunity to address the shortage of taxis in certain large urban areas in the Bill?

I welcome the fact that all drivers will be vetted, which is extremely important in regard to those offering a public service in carrying passengers. People need to be confident that they are getting into a vehicle with a driver who has been vetted such that they can feel safe and secure.

It is welcome that the vehicles will have to be roadworthy. Which competent body will sign off on the roadworthiness of the vehicles? Heavy goods vehicles and small buses must undergo the commercial vehicle roadworthiness test and private cars must undergo the national car test. What body will sign off on the roadworthiness of rickshaws?

The insurance requirements are welcome. Insurance is necessary to compensate a person injured in a collision, for example. Has there been engagement with the insurance industry regarding the provision of insurance to rickshaw owners when the regulations are brought in? I recently raised the issue of the exorbitant cost of insurance for taxi drivers. The insurance policy of a constituent of mine in Longford-Westmeath increased fourfold in 12 months, which forced him to reduce the number of cars in his fleet. What level of engagement has the Department had with the insurance industry in regard to the provision of insurance?

Will all types of rickshaws apart from motorised rickshaws be regulated? Will battery-assisted rickshaws be permitted to carry passengers as a public service vehicle?

On the set-up cost of approximately €500,000, will a registration fee be charged of rickshaw drivers? Will that fee go towards the initial set-up costs?

Who will police the regulation of rickshaws? Will enforcement officers be hired or will enforcement be left to already overstretched members of An Garda Síochána? Obviously, rickshaws are vehicles and the rules of the road in regard to alcohol and drugs should apply and that is welcome.

Ms Nic Lochlainn alluded to the railway safety (amendment) Bill which was discussed earlier this year by the committee. I ask her to update the committee on the status of that Bill.

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