Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

It is an increase. Demand has grown by 25%. The number of cabs has increased from almost 3,000 in 2000 to almost 27,500 in 2008.

The current status of the industry, according to the Goodbody report, from the point of view of vehicle standards, knowledge and so on, is that "current overall level of cab services provided in Ireland as well as vehicle quality, vehicle cleanliness and helpfulness of drivers is good". The Deputy is being very unfair to the taxi regulator but there is only one taxi regulator and 27,000 taxi drivers. They have included a new uniform and new fare structure, new national vehicle standards, better customer information and redress complaint mechanisms, including a national information line. They have provided for a new skills development programme, for this year for new drivers and for 2012 for existing drivers. There has been a streamlining of the administration of vehicle licensing, a strengthening of enforcement and the establishment of a national register of licensed vehicles.

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