Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I have been following the debate from the office. The afternoons here get quite chaotic so there were other meetings clashing. I have been following a lot of what the witnesses have been saying and I do not want to rehash. I ask the witnesses to please use my speaking time to get their points across. This is a platform for them rather than us. We get to speak in the Dáil every day. It is important the representatives would use the time.

I have three quick questions. If the witnesses want to go in other directions in getting their message really hammered home here, then please feel free. I am aware that the witnesses are on top of the challenges, of which there are many facing the sector. A late uncle of mine was a taxi driver for years. Times were a bit better then and I believe it is a lot tougher on taxi drivers now. I would like to know if there are any opportunities for taxi drivers now. Are there any opportunities in particular? I am a County Clare Deputy and in rural areas do the witnesses see opportunities that the NTA, the Government, or the local authorities are not really allowing in order for drivers to really get into communities or is it the case that a family will not make that €40,000 expenditure in order to get into the industry?