Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)

I do not propose to review the composition of the steering group for the taxi regulation review. In my announcements of 8 June and 24 June respectively I have clarified the terms of reference for the review and the membership of the review steering group in line with the commitment in the programme for Government. The review will provide a basis for the necessary further reforms of the sector to allow consumers to have confidence in the taxi system while ensuring that legitimate and competent operators and drivers can be rewarded fairly by operating under a regulatory framework that is adequately enforced. It will address a wide range of issues relating to the taxi sector, including the current regulatory policy and practices, licensing systems, enforcement and future dialogue with the taxi sector.

The diverse membership of the review steering group will allow an appropriate contribution from stakeholders, including dispatch operators, drivers, consumers and the regulatory and enforcement agencies. The consultation on the review extends to all interested parties and stakeholders through an invitation for written submission to be made before the end of July and further consultation opportunities will be presented from there.

Unlike the previous Government, I have spent considerable time consulting the various taxi representative groups and gave them considerable time so that I could hear their views. I met the representatives on a number of occasions. Also unlike the previous Government, I have undertaken to chair this group to demonstrate the importance Government is attaching to it. I have stated publicly on numerous occasions that I believe the taxi sector should be based around full-time owner drivers.

However, representation in the taxi sector is far too fragmented and this suits neither policymakers nor taxi drivers. If there is evidence of consolidation of taxi driver organisations into one constituted organisation, I may look at membership of the review group again.

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