Ms Deirdre Hanlon:

The Deputy asked about the role of the NTA. As he knows, the NTA is statutorily independent and it is the regulator for the taxi industry, but we are aware of some of the measures it has taken to support the industry with regard to regulatory affairs over the period since the commencement of the pandemic.

He mentioned that there had not been a change in rules. They have taken steps to facilitate taxi drivers, especially in the early days of the pandemic where they wished to suspend their licences. The NTA also engaged with the insurance industry to try to come to an arrangement where insurers would recognise a suspension of a licence while a taxi driver was not trading. They were significant factors. The issue now is trying to facilitate people in returning to business as business picks up, but those were the specific points the Deputy mentioned around the engagement on that.