Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The Commission for Taxi Regulation published "Driving Forward: Action Plan 2006-2007" on Tuesday, 7 March. I welcome its publication and, as a regular user of the taxi service in this city, I agree with many of its recommendations. Nevertheless, it should be regarded as a consultation document rather than the final proposal and the implementation of any of its provisions should be deferred for at least six months. I say this because of the apparent lack of widespread consultation with all elements of the taxi industry nationwide.

I attended a meeting of the Tralee Taxi Association on Monday, 13 March. The association is a very responsible body. Just before Christmas, its representatives met the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding anti-social behaviour in Tralee. The association strikes me as the only body doing anything about anti-social behaviour in Tralee. It tries to work with the local gardaí and local council and is genuinely concerned about anti-social behaviour in the town. I was very impressed with the association's presentation to the Minister of State and I therefore take its views and concerns very seriously.

I will reflect the mood of the meeting. The delegates were astounded by the complete lack of thought and consideration for the taxi industry in Tralee and generally in rural Ireland. While the delegates accepted that certain aspects of the document were positive and a step in the right direction, such as the reference to the appointment of the NCT centres to administer the SPSV licences on the commission's behalf, they strongly believed that most aspects of the document are unworkable in a rural environment. They took issue with vehicle licensing, for example. Up to now, the licensing of a vehicle to operate as a taxi, hackney or limousine has been carried out by the relevant local authority on production of the appropriate documentation. The licensing numbers are local numbers with distinctive lettering and the area of operation is displayed clearly on all signs. Under the new proposals, the commission plans to introduce a new national licensing system. In accordance with these proposals, each SPSV licence holder will be issued with a new five-digit national number in respect of each licence granted or renewed. This will, in effect, eliminate the recognised and familiar SPSV licence numbers. The new proposals make no provision to inform the public on areas of operation, either in respect of the interior or exterior of the vehicle. The new proposals will make local taxis difficult to distinguish in the eyes of the public.

The association also takes issue with the national taxi meter area. At present, there are 36 designated taxi meter areas country-wide and areas of operation are clearly defined by the local authorities. In the case of Tralee, for example, a designated three-mile radius from the town centre constitutes the taxi meter area. The benefits of this system are such that drivers are clearly aware of their area of operation and policing of this system is easier. The commission proposes to declare the whole country a taxi meter area in September 2006 and this will eliminate the existing 36 designated taxi meter areas. The commission proposes to restrict taxis plying for hire in the area for which their licences are endorsed. This means SPSV drivers' licences endorsed in County Kerry will be permitted to operate freely within the county boundaries.

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