Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was able to tune in for parts of the hearing but not all. I am not a member of this committee but I was keen to come in.

I am a Cork Deputy and my knowledge of the situation relates primarily to the Cork taxi committee but many of the issues that have come up today are one and the same. The point about taxis being public service vehicles is key, as is the fact that they are not recognised adequately, or sometimes at all, by the NTA as a part of the public transport network. Taxis are also key enablers of other parts of public transport. Three out of every four times I travel to Dublin I do so by train. If a taxi was not available, I would probably drive there. If I did not have a taxi to get me from my home to the train station, that realistically means that I do not get a train at that hour of the morning. Taxis are key enablers. They enable people to get buses, trains and all the rest of it. They are a key connection. Taxis are also a key part of public transport by way of serving hospitals, elderly people and all the things that taxi drivers and, indeed, school transport do during the day. Many people just think of taxis in terms of late hours on a Saturday night. Taxis work 24-7 doing crucial work to support people. It is time the NTA recognised that. Reform and an improved replacement for the taxi advisory committee needs to be a key part of that so that taxi drivers feel they have a real say in it.

Many of the questions have already been asked. I missed the part around transferability, which is a big part of the ask at present. The point about the nine- or ten-year rule has been well made. It is illogical. If a car is roadworthy, it is roadworthy and that is all. Of course, it has to be roadworthy. That is essential but, once it is roadworthy, why should there be a higher standard for taxis than anything else?

My other question is on school transport. I have spoken to taxi drivers who say that the tendering process to serve school transport routes, typically in respect of children's special educational needs, is too onerous and complex, and is just not worth a taxi driver's while. That is why it is sometimes not possible to get a taxi and needs are not being met. Many taxi drivers do great work in that regard but sometimes the incentives are just not there for taxi drivers to apply for these routes. I ask for comment on that.

What is now crucial, and I will try to come in when NTA representatives next appear before the committee, is that there is a far better service. When we talk about public transport generally, one issue is that taxi drivers are not adequately consulted but even when we talk about taxis themselves, very often other interests, whether these are hospitality or some of the big apps, have as much say as taxi drivers, which is not right either. It is vitally important the committee has proper teeth and is fully representative of taxi drivers.

My two questions relate to school transport and transferability.