Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Commission for Taxi Regulation will be merged in the new National Transport Authority and its staff will transfer to the new body and continue to enjoy the same rights. The commission's income will become part of the resources available to the new authority. The Commission for Taxi Regulation generated significant revenue because the number of taxi licences issued increased significantly. This source of revenue is diminishing rapidly as fewer taxi licences are approved.

I share Deputy Broughan's objective to introduce regulated competition. That is the thrust of the Bill. We do not want anyone engaging in predatory behaviour, whether a native company or otherwise. It will be an important function of the regulator to prevent such behaviour. The powers available in the legislation, including the power to revoke licences and take good repute into consideration, will be enormously helpful to the regulator in ensuring we have a good and well regulated market for consumers.

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