Senator Paschal Mooney:

I welcome the delegation. As the Chairman has mentioned, the Bill is going through the Seanad. I am glad that the delegation has clarified the situation with regard to the other organisations. As Senator O'Sullivan has said, we were anxious to establish whether all of the groups sang off the same hymn sheet. I am glad to know that information. We met the Taxi Drivers Alliance and it shares much the same views with TTnH.

I wish to refer to two issues. Perhaps the delegation will expand a little on the first issue. Reference was made to illegal activities, some of which have thankfully been eliminated. What type of illegal activities was the delegation referring to? The Taxi Drivers Alliance indicated to us that there could be upwards of 5,000 illegal taxi drivers operating nationally. The TDA could not be more specific but it did give us that figure. We were not able to establish the type of illegal activities. Mr. McGuinness referred to them earlier. What type of illegal activities are involved? How do they impact on the legal industry?

One of the issues that arose during the discussion in the Seanad related to the regulator and I shall put the question in context. Everything that we discussed with the TDA related to enforcement. I am sure that the TTnH shares the same view with the TDA that there is a need for enforcement. Unfortunately, only seven enforcement officers can be appointed by the regulator.

Another question arose about the role of the Garda. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, shepherded the Bill through the Seanad and I compliment him for being on top of his brief. He said that the conclusions articulated or reflected in the Bill arose out of the review group which includes the Garda. He also said that the Garda are quite happy to see a transfer of powers. The TDA does not seem to view that as a good development and do not want the Garda to be sidelined. The TDA also thought that there would be problems because there are only seven enforcement officers nationally. Can the TTnH comment?