Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

Is the Minister saying that by the end of 2010 the Commission for Taxi Regulation will be based completely within the National Transport Authority? The authority will then effectively be the regulator. I understand that according to the Bill that we put through the House, the current taxi regulator is the last such regulator.

Is the Minister aware of the considerable unease in the taxi industry at present, with many taxi workers feeling it is impossible to earn a decent living under the current conditions and the current regulator? People are going out for three or four hours and coming back with €15 in their pockets, then having to work all night in chaotic circumstances. Has the Minister met representatives of the Irish Taxi Council and, if not, is he prepared to meet them? Will he meet with other representative taxi bodies?

Will he address the major concerns of the council with the Commission for Taxi Regulation? It is concerned, for example, about the nine-year rule for cars, under which many taxi drivers will be obliged to replace fine cars that are now around nine or ten years old. In the current circumstances, they will find it difficult to get credit and pay back loans. Will the Minister ask the regulator to review this rule? Many taxi drivers have large cars with two-litre engines in fine condition which may be more than ten years old. Will he consider any of the other issues raised by taxi workers, particularly that of a moratorium on the issue of taxi plates?

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