Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, brought three reports to the Cabinet yesterday, one on smarter travel in towns, one on an integrated rural transport scheme, and one dealing with taxis. This is an issue about which everybody here is concerned. Based on the system outlined by the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, I want to see those involved in the taxi business, who have pride in the work they do, maintain their high reputation. I am concerned about illegal operators. Many thousands of parents are very concerned about their young girls and boys getting into the wrong taxi, which might not be legitimate in the first place. The recommendations made by the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, need to be discussed by those involved in the industry. They have been endorsed by the Cabinet and I want to see them implemented in a way whereby those involved in the taxi business, who work very hard, can maintain their very high standard of professionalism and reputation as it should be. Cowboy operators need to be taken out of the system so that they neither impinge on legitimate operators nor do down the reputation of the country by offering inferior services, about which, in some cases, people have legitimate reason to be concerned.

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