Ms Maev Nic Lochlainn:

Deputy Ellis asked whether a person would need a driving licence to drive a rickshaw. For non-motorised rickshaws, a person will not need a cycling or driving licence. However, to carry passengers such a person will need a rickshaw driver licence to be a valid person and must have Garda vetting to operate as a rickshaw driver. The vehicles are not motorised, so a driver would not have to do a driving test in the way a car driver has to for a driving licence. A taxi driver must do a car driver test and then get a licence. Subsequently, he or she must apply to become a taxi driver and secure a taxi driver licence. Since a rickshaw is essentially a bicycle and is not motorised, the first stage does not apply. An applicant does not have to do a cycle or rickshaw test. However, since an applicant will be carrying passengers, he or she will have to submit an application that will involve Garda vetting to become a driver of a rickshaw carrying passengers.