Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For my own questioning, I want to recap. I will systematically go through what we will bring up with the NTA representatives next week.

I will deal first with the issue in respect of when somebody is buying an EV. In essence, we are saying there are a combination of factors. We face a cliff edge on 1 January, when up to almost 4,000 taxis may not continue or, if they do, might do so at a level where it is not sustainable. In effect, what the representatives are looking for, dare I say, is a form of derogation for cars up to 15 years old to allow drivers a transitional period in which to transition to EV cars. That is a fair comment. The clerk will take notes. If the representatives wish to come back to the committee with more formalised contributions in certain areas, that is up to them.

I will flesh out the issue of transferability a little more. I am here long enough that I remember the time before deregulation. I am a Deputy for Limerick City. I am an accountant by training and had clients who were taxi drivers so I understand and am reasonably familiar with the sector. Overnight, following deregulation, people who had purchased taxi plates found they were worthless and we had a new system. When Mr. Cooley talks about transferability, is he talking about licences having a value or is he more interested in the process of transferability?